Evaluation of religious tourism potential of Konya province and perspectives of tourist guides in Konya on religious tourism

Today, the tourism sector is of great importance for the country's economy. Although traditional sea-sand-sun tourism has an important place in international tourism, the alternative tourism market, which includes faith tourism, is growing. Turkey is a country with important centers for all three monotheistic religions. In particular, there are many holy places and religious values belonging to Islam. Konya is one of the cities that attract attention in terms of faith tourism potential. The aim of this study is to reveal the current faith tourism potential of Konya and to contribute to Konya's faith tourism by researching the unknown ones as well as the known faith centers. With this study, it is aimed to guide the scientific studies that will be carried out in the future for the faith tourism of Konya. In addition, it is aimed to determine the perspectives of the tourist guides working in Konya towards faith tourism. Purposeful sampling method, one of the qualitative research methods, was preferred in the study. Interviews were conducted with the tourist guides working in Konya using semi-structured interview technique. Interview forms were prepared by reviewing the literature. (Rzazade et al., 2018, Demir, 2022; Demircan, 2014) The prepared interview forms were submitted to expert opinion and used after obtaining appropriate approval. In the study, 8 open-ended questions were asked to the participants, and the findings were analyzed with the Descriptive Analysis method. In addition, belief centers were visited by the researcher and their current status was photographed. According to the data obtained from the study, it has been understood that the faith tourism potential of Konya is at a sufficient level, but this potential is not fully utilized. Religious tourism activities in Konya are carried out through Mevlana; In addition, it is seen that belief centers such as Şems-i Tebrizi Tomb, Nasreddin Hodja Tomb, Sadreddin Konevi Tomb, Ateşbaz-ı Veli Tomb, Sille Aya Elana Church are known and visited. However, as a result of the research, it has been determined that there are many belief centers in Konya in terms of both Christianity and Islam. Especially Kilistra region is an important region for Christianity; It has been understood that there are many churches and monasteries here, but there is no tourism infrastructure and it does not serve tourism. In addition, there are many Islamic works such as tombs, mosques, masjids and madrasas from the Seljuk and Ottoman times. These belief centers, which are little known or not known by local and foreign tourists, should also be brought into tourism; It is believed that it will contribute to the province of Konya economically, socially and culturally.