The role of local goverments in sustainable tourism: The example of Gaziantep

This study aims to examine the role of local governments in the context of sustainable tourism through the case of Gaziantep, Turkey. Increasing global environmental, social, and economic pressures have made it essential to restructure tourism activities in line with sustainability principles. Local governments emerge as key actors in this transformation, particularly in policy development, implementation, and supervision processes. The research adopts a qualitative method, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with representatives of local authorities involved in tourism in Gaziantep. The data were analyzed using content analysis techniques. The findings reveal that while local governments have developed specific policies and strategies related to sustainable tourism, several structural and financial limitations hinder effective implementation. It was also found that collaboration with local communities remains insufficient and participatory mechanisms are not adequately institutionalized. Considering Gaziantep's rich cultural heritage and its strong potential in gastronomy tourism, the study concludes that more comprehensive, planned, and inclusive local policies are needed to promote sustainable tourism in the city. This study contributes to the literature by evaluating the current status of sustainable tourism practices at the local level in Turkey and provides guiding insights for policymakers and local administrators.