Abstract
Evaluation of Geographical Indications in Terms of Development of Regional Tourism: The Case of Siirt Province
When Siirt province is evaluated in terms of tourism, it comes to the forefront of faith tourism. Beyond faith tourism, it has important tourism potential with its natural, cultural, historical and geographically marked products. Geographical marking is an important tool in increasing the awareness of the region and local products, marketing local values as a touristic product and contributing to the regional economy. In this study, the geographically marked products of Siirt province (Pervari balı, Perde pilavı, Büryan kebabı ve Siirt Battaniyesi) were evaluated in terms of the development of regional tourism by interviewing the central institution managers of Siirt province. As a result of the interviews with the central institution managers within the scope of the study, it is understood that geographical indication is a subject that stakeholders attach great importance to in terms of the development of regional tourism. Still, these products alone cannot provide a touristic attraction. In this scope, it was concluded that geographically marked products should support each other by integrating the natural, historical and cultural values of the province with religious tourism and gastronomic tourism. Stakeholders should also promote local values and spread their use as a tourism product, and serious efforts should be made to raise awareness among producers and consumers.
Keywords
Geographical indication, Local products, Regional development, Siirt,
