Mapping religious tourism routes through geographic information system: The case of Cappadocia

This study aims to create religious tourism routes in the Cappadocia region, one of the most important tourism destinations in Turkey with its unique natural landscapes and cultural heritage. Literature review, focus group interviews, interviews, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools were employed to create religious tourism routes in the region. An inventory was created of 86 Christian religious structures that were considered as components in the planned routes. Subsequently, a measurement tool was developed to collect data on the characteristics of these religious sites, including their spiritual value, cultural significance, presence in the natural environment, visitor density-familiarity, and sacredness. The criteria were determined based on focus group discussions and route planning guides published in the literature. 21 experts on Christian religious structures in the Cappadocia region evaluated the religious structures listed in the prepared inventory according to 5 different criteria. The analysis revealed that many of the evaluated religious structures are lesser-known buildings with outstanding features in terms of natural environment, cultural value, and spirituality. After categorizing the religious structures based on their identified features, their geographical locations were transferred to GIS programs for spatial analysis. Spatial statistical analyses, network analyses, and distance analyses were conducted using ArcGIS software, providing insights into the spatial distribution of religious structures in the region, suitable areas for walking, walking durations, and distances. Within the scope of the study, 3 distinct route proposals were developed, and suggestions were made to researchers and practitioners to create a large number of alternative routes. Overall, this study significantly contributes to the literature and the tourism industry by presenting routes that allow diverse experiences of Cappadocia's rich religious heritage. Additionally, the method it has developed for evaluating the components in creating these routes is valuable. The inventory and routes will contribute to the development of infrastructure for religious tourism in Cappadocia, the preservation of Christian religious heritage, and its transmission to future generations. Based on the results, important recommendations have been offered to the tourism sector and researchers for future studies.