For the evaluation of Afyonkarahisar's faith tourism potential a qualitative study

While creating the destination image, it is necessary to use a value with a unique feature that will attract the masses and individuals to that destination. According to Baloğlu (1996), a definition focused on the image of the destination provides important conveniences in the promotion and marketing of the destination. In this sense, Afyonkarahisar is one of the rare destinations in Turkey with unique values that can appeal to both local and international markets. In this context, it is thought that the religious tourism values in Afyonkarahisar are elements that can contribute to the presentation of the whole destination. The purpose of this research; is to reveal the elements that can be the focal point in the evaluation and development of the faith tourism potential of Afyonkarahisar and to make an evaluation that can contribute to the tourism potential of the city for its development. It is aimed to ensure that thermal tourism, which is determined as the main attraction, would be sustainable as supported by other tourism types, as well as to prevent the formation of idle capacity by presenting all aspects of the city. Within the scope of touristic product diversification, many alternatives are offered to visitors who will be interested in the region. In this context, it is thought that the faith tourism potential of the city will contribute significantly. In the first and second part of the research, a literature review was made by using domestic and foreign resources, and general information was tried to be provided about faith tourism, types of faith tourism, elements of faith tourism in Afyonkarahisar province, and also Afyonkarahisar. In the third part of the study, a case study with semi-structured interview was conducted and qualitative research method was used and the sample of this study was formed by the criterion sampling method within the framework of purposive sampling. According to the evaluation made based on the findings obtained from the interviews conducted with the participants within the scope of the research, Afyonkarahisar's appropriate potential for faith tourism, mosques's and tombs's coming to the fore as attractions in terms of faith tourism, tourism investors to invest by considering the tourism components on the faith tour route, widening the roads for tour buses, creating bus stops and sufficient parking areas, the construction of resting places, food and beverage service units, and other social areas for tourists to meet their general needs (toilet, ablution, resting). The existence of travel agencies specialized in faith tourism, their adding these faith elements to their tour programs and encouraging them to be visited, and also training tourist guides who are experts in faith tourism. By promoting the tourism diversity for the Christian world through the presentation of the chapels and churches in the ancient cities of Amorium and Phrygia, locating tourism information bureaus in more visible places, the placement of the young staff for providing information, permitting visitors to follow sema rituals, spreading of forty hatim ashure throughout the year; depending on these activities, the destination would be effective in the presentation of tourism. In addition to these, within the scope of the presentation of the values related to Mevlevi; presentations reflecting the Mevlevi lifestyle can be made, and also visitors can enjoy experiencing Mevlevi tradition. Famous art designers, famous directors and producers can be interviewed and works of art that will create attraction for the destination related to Sultan Divanî and the Mevlevi Order in Afyonkarahisar can be presented.