The relationship between development of tourism and cultural identity phenomenon: The example of Alaçati

In this study, it has been evaluated to examine the relationship between tourism development and cultural identity in Alaçatı which is located in İzmir. In this regard, the purpose of this research is to reveal questions of; "What is the relationship effect of cultural idendity in the development of Alaçatı?" in order to examine the cultural structure of society in Alacatı and determine this structure tourism development. In the first part of this study, it has analysed that the purpose of research, the problem of research and the scope of the thesis. In the second part of this study, it has been analysed that cultural forms, cultural factors and cultural phenomennon and it has been explained the concept of idendity, the elements of idendity and the theories of idendity. It has described that the concept of cultural identity. Besides it has explicated that tourism, the indicators of tourism development and the relationship between tourism, cultural and identity. In the third part of this study, it has described that the history of Alaçatı and the touristic products of Alaçatı. Also it has explained that research, research methods, findings and suggestions. In this study an interview form with open-ended questions appropriate to semi-structured interview method has been ussed. The data is obtained from a total of 15 stakeholders such as two people from local administration, the president of tourism association, two hotels managers, the ten people from local public. Each interview takes from 30 minute to 45 minute. All interviews have been taken time between 4 April 2016 and 3 May 2016. As a result of this study, it has been revealed that the majority of local public has moved from Alaçatı to nearby places due to that the tourism has developed. The cultural idendity has been lost highly in Alaçatı as result of migration from another cities such as İstanbul. Within the scope this result there is no relationship between the tourism development of Alaçatı and cultural idendity. The major reasons of tourism development in Alaçatı can be seen sustaining of windsurf and architecture. Keywords: Alaçatı, The Development of Tourism, Culture, Identity, Cultural Identity.