Tourist guide's contribution to culture tourism:guzelhisar-i aydin sample from the view of evliya celebi

The aim of this study is to create a cultural route based on the descriptions of Güzelhisar-ı Aydın in Evliya Çelebi's Seyahatname and to evaluate the contributions of professional tourist guides in such cultural tours. A qualitative approach was used in the study, utilizing the focus group method. Participants were selected through convenience sampling methods, and the total number of participants was 14. The data collection process was carried out in three stages: before the guided tour, during the guided tour, and after the guided tour. The research findings revealed that there were significant changes in participants' knowledge levels, perceptions, and historical-cultural awareness in the evaluations made before and after the guided tour. Before the tour, participants generally regarded Güzelhisar as a simple neighborhood or settlement and stated that they were unaware of its historical and cultural context. After the guided tour, it was understood that Güzelhisar is a place with a deep historical background and a rich cultural heritage. Especially, conveying the descriptions from Evliya Çelebi's Seyahatname with the guidance of a professional guide made significant contributions to participants' understanding of this historical context and the relationship between Evliya Çelebi and Güzelhisar. The guide's detailed explanations increased participants' awareness and historical consciousness about the social and spiritual contexts of historical structures such as the Alihan Baba Tomb and the Üveys Pasha, Ramazan Pasha, and Hasan Çelebi Mosques. Additionally, the spiritual atmosphere in the tombs and the symbolic meaning of historical places created deep emotional effects on the participants, allowing them to form a bond with the past through feelings of enthusiasm and admiration. The tour process not only increased the participants' level of knowledge but also created a permanent change in their perception of Güzelhisar. These findings once again demonstrate the critical role of professional tourist guides in information transfer, creating historical awareness, and promoting cultural heritage. In conclusion, it has been shown that guided tours are an important tool in creating historical and cultural awareness, and such activities should be supported more at the regional and national levels. Keywords: Professional Tourist Guide, Cultural Tourism, Evliya Çelebi, Seyahatname