Evaluation of intangible cultural heritage values in the scope of tourism attractiveness: A case of ebru (Marbling) the art of Turkish paper decoration

Diversification and protection of the products/values used as tourism products have an important role in ensuring sustainability in the tourism sector. In this respect, the aim of this study is to determine the usability of the art of marbling (ebru), which is in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List (ICH) of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), as a tourism asset and its degree of interaction with tourism sector. First of all, the theoretical background has been put forward by making literature review about the concepts within the scope of the research. In the next part of the study, questionnaire and interview techniques were applied. In this context; 194 questionnaires were collected from the visitors who participated in marbling (ebru) exhibitions in Ankara, Bursa, Istanbul and Malatya. The other survey was conducted with 84 trainees studying marbling (ebru) in Ankara, Istanbul and Malatya. In addition, interviews were made with marbling artists who are experienced in their fields and participated in national and international exhibitions.. The participants' responses were evaluated by using reliability analysis, percentage, frequency analysis and arithmetic means. According to the findings, it is determined that cultural heritage values are effective in the sustainability of tourism, marbling art (ebru) and marbling art organizations have an important tourism potential and can play an active role in the promotion of Turkey.