Effects of tourism on urban cultural texture in Alanya

The tourism sector has created different effects on the regions it covers since the first day it emerged. The aim of this study is to reveal the views of people living in Alanya about the effects of tourism activities on the urban and cultural texture. Qualitative research method and case study research design were used in the research. The participants of the research consisted of 15 people determined by criterion sampling, one of the purposeful sampling methods. In the research, a semi-structured interview form developed by the researcher and finalized in line with expert opinions was used as a data collection form. Descriptive analysis was used in the evaluation of the data obtained from the participants. As a result of the descriptive analysis, various categories were obtained for each of the 17 questions in the semi-structured interview form. Regarding the preferences of the participants to live in Alanya, the desire to love Alanya very much, to serve the city where they live, to have natural and cultural riches, to work in the tourism sector in Alanya, to be close to the sea in residential areas, and to be born in Alanya and the family's residence in Alanya, 6 categories emerged. Regarding the change in the cultural structure of the participants before and after the tourism sector; 4 categories were determined: the cultural structure in the pre-tourism period, the cultural structure in the post-tourism period, the cultural effects of tourism and the development of cultural tourism. Regarding the urban and architectural effects of the tourism sector of the participants, 4 categories were identified: tourism-related urban and architectural effects, tourism-related structural diversity, urban structure and competitive environment in the pre-tourism period, and urban identity. According to the data obtained from the interviewees in general, it has been understood that tourism is the sector that has the most important share in the development of Alanya in the last half century. In addition, it has been concluded that tourism has various effects on Alanya in cultural, economic, architectural and environmental dimensions. Based on the results obtained from the research, some suggestions were presented to researchers, sector employers, local and central government powers. Keywords: Tourism, Urban and Cultural Texture, Culture, Alanya.