Evaluation of api tourism potential of Agrı province within the scope of rural tourism

Rural tourism and api-tourism tourism, which come to the fore more with the change in the understanding of tourism in today's conditions, are completely nature-based, ecological, offer new and undiscovered experiences to people and at the same time have great returns to the region where it is realized. The main purpose of this research is; The aim is to learn the current situation of the tourism activities of the local people and beekeepers in Ağrı and their views on beekeeping tourism. The second aim of the research is to determine the beekeeping tourism potential of Ağrı province. This research was designed as a mixed methods research in order to obtain general and in-depth results in accordance with the purpose in question. Simultaneous/sequential/convergent design was used as the research design. In the research, semi-structured interview and questionnaire techniques were used as data collection techniques. Qualitative phase data were analyzed using the MAXQDA Qualitative Data Analysis Program. SPSS 25.0 statistical package program was used in the statistical analysis of the data obtained at the quantitative stage. Based on the data obtained in the qualitative phase of the research, a total of 3 themes and 9 sub-codes were created. It was determined that the scale used in the quantitative research consisted of 39 propositions and 6 dimensions. In the light of the data obtained from the research, it has been concluded that the local people of Ağrı and beekeepers have positive thoughts about beekeeping tourism, but the infrastructure needs to be created. Keywoeds: Rural Tourism, Api Tourism, Apitherapy, Ağrı