Abstract
Evaluation of Ancient Sites of Western Black Sea Region in terms of Cultural Heritage Tourism
Due to the changes in the travel trends in recent years, cultural heritage sites have become a major attraction for tourists and cultural heritage tourism has become a growing market. Cultural heritage consisting of the historical buildings, architectural monuments and structures, and cultural tradations is an important component of the tourism industry. The Western Black Sea region has an important potential for cultural heritage tourism due to its historical and cultural heritage. Therefore, Amastris, the city founded by the Persian prince Amastris, Prasias ad Hypium, which is known as the Ephesus of the Black Sea, Sinope, that took its name from water nymph Sinope, Hadrianapolis, known as the Zeugma of the Western Black Sea region, Herakleia Pontika, which took its name from Herakles, the invincible hero of Greek mythology, Pompeiopolis, the capital of Paphlagonia, and Tios, which took its name from Priest Tios, the founder of the city, are the most remarkable cultural heritage resources of the region. The aim of this study is to examine the cultural heritage of the Western Black Sea region and to reveal its tourism potential for the development of tourism industry. In order to develop cultural heritage tourism in the Western Black Sea region, archeological excavations should be completed in a short span of time and promotion of these places should be done effectively.
Keywords
Cultural Heritage Tourism, Ancient Sites, Western Black Sea Region.