Sustaınable tourısm and cultural herıtage management: Zerzevan castle and the mıthraeum excavatıon sıte

This thesis investigates the sustainable management of archaeological sites, an important element of cultural heritage, through the example of Zerzevan Castle and Mithraeum Archaeological Site; and develops models and recommendations for sustainable management of tourism and cultural heritage based on the perspectives and perceptions of visitors and relevant stakeholders. A mixed-methods approach was adopted in the research; quantitative and qualitative methods were used in combination; SPSS, SmartPLS, and MAXQDA software were utilised for the data analyses. A thorough analysis of the quantitative data obtained from visitors to Zerzevan Castle revealed that the perception of sustainable development strengthens the perception of value, which in turn significantly influences the perception of authenticity. The perception of authenticity exerts a significant influence on intentions regarding the preservation of cultural heritage, financial contribution, and political participation. The findings of the study demonstrated that the perception of sustainable development has the capacity to translate into behavioural outcomes through value and authenticity. The findings were further corroborated by qualitative data obtained from local managers and officials responsible for Zerzevan Castle. Participants emphasised themes of preservation, authenticity, belonging, historical value, economic benefit, and local government support. While participants asserted that Zerzevan Castle should be preserved as an element of cultural identity, they also drew attention to its potential to generate social and economic benefits through tourism. The research findings indicate that Zerzevan Castle exhibits considerable potential in the domains of sustainable tourism and heritage management. The thesis presents a unique model that validates the chain of sustainable development → value perception → authenticity → beha ioural participation. It contributes to the literature at a theoretical level and develops recommendations for implementation.