A Research on the Investigation of the Attitudes of the Local People in Eskişehir Towards Faith Tourism

Abstract

Tourism has been gaining more share in countries’ economies. Therefore, countries are looking for alternative ways to diversify their tourism products. Eskişehir is a province in Turkey which has been attracting more and more visitors and increasing it income from tourism. This study aims to find out the perceptions of the people in Eskişehir regarding faith tourism. To base the study on a theoretical framework, a comprehensive literature review was conducted on faith tourism. Then the assets of Eskişehir which could have a potential for faith tourism were listed. A questionnaire was used to gather the views of the people in Eskişehir regarding faith tourism. It was found that the people in Eskişehir did not perceive faith tourism as a threat in general, rather they perceived it as an opportunity for touristic development in the city.