Gazi̇antep tourism and sustainability: A research on the local community perspective

This study is prepared with the aim of evaluation of local people about existing tourism in Gaziantep and what should be done in Gaziantep city with the sustainability in tourism. The prepared questionnaire survey with this aim wasapplied to 424 people in October 2014 and February 2015. The survey results were analysed with SPSS 16.0 program. The intended questions for Gaziantep's people demographic characteristics were tested with frequency distribution. The following tests were used for the measurement of perception about what to do in sustainability tourism, Gaziantep tourism of local people, strong and weak aspects of Gaziantep tourism, independent sample t-test and one way analysis of variance (Anova). As a result of research, while locals who attended to the survey, determined that the point of view of locals to Gaziantep tourism was generally positive, rich culinary culture, history of city, cultural structure and protected natural beauties emerged as stronger aspects of Gaziantep. In addition to this, the most important aspects to provide sustainability of tourism in Gaziantep were to increase promotional and advertising activities and restoration of historical constractions.