Perceptions of tourism stakeholders towards Şirnak Fai̇th Touri̇sm

Şırnak province, located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey, has an important place in terms of faith tourism, as it has hosted communities with Yazidi, Syriac, Armenian, Christian, Nestorian, Jewish and Muslim beliefs from past to present. The main purpose of the study is to reveal the perceptions of tourism stakeholders about the potential of Şırnak faith tourism. For this purpose, case design, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. Document analysis was used in the literature part and face-to-face interview technique was used in the data collection phase. For the study group, maximum variation and criterion sampling techniques, which are among the purposive sampling techniques, were used. Within the scope of the research, data were obtained from 17 tourism stakeholders. The data obtained from the participants were evaluated by content analysis. For content analysis, MAXQUDA 2020 qualitative data analysis program was used. As a result of the research; It has been determined that the stakeholders have the perception that Şırnak's faith tourism potential cannot be used effectively. The reasons for this situation by the stakeholders; negative city perception, unconsciousness of the public, economic problems, infrastructure-superstructure problems and bureaucracy barriers. Some suggestions have been made to use the faith tourism potential of Şırnak province more effectively.