The sociological impacts of tourism on local communities: The case of Ayazini Village (Afyonkarahisar)

This study investigates the sociological impact of tourism on the local community through the case of Ayazini Village. Based on the assumption that tourism brings not only economic changes but also cultural, social, and spatial transformations, the research analyzes the village's ongoing process of change. The data were gathered through surveys with 100 participants and semi-structured interviews with 10 individuals. Key themes such as changes in women's roles, family structure, migration, class differentiation, and cultural values were examined in light of classical and contemporary sociological theories. The conceptual frameworks of theorists such as Durkheim, Marx, Weber, and Tönnies offered valuable tools for analyzing the data. The social transformation triggered by tourism has generated both areas of integration and zones of tension, revealing the increasingly complex dynamics of rural life. This thesis aims to contribute to the understanding of social change in rural communities and to inform relevant policy discussions. Keywords: Ayazini Village, sociology of tourism, social change, rural transformation, cultural interaction.