An examination of April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day in the context of Ankara tourism as an event

Events have important benefits and costs to the regions where they are held in the context of economic, cultural and physical environment. In this research, it is aimed to evaluate the benefits and costs of April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day, which is an important cultural and mega event organized in Turkey since 1920, to tourism in Ankara. Questionnaire technique was used to collect research data. The survey questionnaire included 30 questions on a five-point Likert scale, as well as one openended question. The research was conducted in Ankara and within the scope of a total of 407 participants. Data obtained as a result of the survey; Factor analysis, tested by independent sample T test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Content analysis was used in open-ended questions. As a result of the research, the cost of this festival to Ankara tourism in socioeconomic and physical environmental dimensions was found. It has been determined that the festival has contributed to Ankara tourism in cultural, economic and social dimensions. While perceptions of the cultural, social contribution and physical environment cost of the festival differ according to the age of the participants; in the case of perception of socio-economic cost difference was found between education and income. In the answers to the open-ended question about the Covid-19 pandemic, the participants focused on the Covid-19 pandemic with the theme of tourism and promotion, and it was seen that they expressed economic, cultural and social costs rather than contributions in this period. Key Words: April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day, Ankara, Touristic Event, Covid-19 Pandemic.