Sustainable tourism planning in Gümüşhane Süleymaniye Mahallesi (Old Gumushane)

The rapid increase in population, industrialization, and technological advancements on Earth has led to the unplanned depletion of natural resources and a corresponding rise in consumption values. This increase not only affects natural resources but also impacts historical environments, causing the destruction of many cultural and economic values. The shortcomings in implementing tourism policies and the involvement of non-experts in planning efforts contribute to increased destruction in the region while also posing a significant obstacle for future generations. With the resulting destruction, the necessity of preserving the values possessed has become better understood over time, leading to an increasing awareness in this regard. This situation has opened the way for the use of the sustainability concept in tourism. It has started to gain acceptance in many societies that the destruction caused by tourism can only be prevented through planning efforts prepared with a sustainable approach. With this study, the planning efforts in the Süleymaniye Mahallesi of Gümüşhane are examined from the perspective of stakeholders, aiming to identify factors negatively impacting regional tourism in light of sustainable tourism principles and objectives, and to develop recommendations for solving problems. The primary reason for selecting Süleymaniye Mahallesi as the research area is the deficiency in existing planning efforts. Primarily, qualitative research techniques were utilized in the study. In this context, a semi-structured interview form was created, and discussions were held with tourism stakeholders in the region. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive analysis methods. The research results indicate that there is a divergence of opinions among stakeholders, investments are lacking due to property issues, exacerbating the destruction of the region. Additionally, there is a significant deficiency in advertising and promotion in the area. As a result of the research, it has been determined that sustainable tourism planning is highly important and necessary in the Süleymaniye Mahallesi of Gümüşhane. Finally, various recommendations have been made to assist in sustainable tourism planning efforts.