The Importance of Guided Tours for Sustainability of Folk Culture

The 8th International Research Forum on Guided Tours, Bolzano, İtalya, 28 - 30 Mayıs 2024, ss.1-2

The advent of modernity has precipitated a period of rapid and profound transformation in

human life. In comparison to previous historical periods, the pace of change in social and

cultural life has accelerated, particularly since the Industrial Revolution and World War II. At

this time, people began to eschew traditional lifestyles in favor of urban living, thereby

erasing traditional patterns of production and consumption. Some social scientists argue that

this phenomenon will lead to the emergence of a global monoculture or a shift towards global

cultural homogeneity. Conversely, others view this as a threat to humanity as a whole. A third

perspective holds that this is a normal process, whereby people will inevitably continue to

represent themselves and their cultural uniqueness. In any case, numerous international

organizations, including UNESCO, are developing policies to preserve local cultures and

cultural diversity in order to halt this trend. Despite the view that contemporary tourism is a

significant driver of cultural transformation and a threat to traditional ways of life, we contend

that it can also serve as a vital instrument for safeguarding the cultural heterogeneity of local

communities and promoting sustainable growth.

This study focuses on the role of tourism in the Cappadocia region of Turkey, with a

particular emphasis on the sustainability of folk culture and the impact of tour guides. This

leads to the following questions: how have local cultural elements in Cappadocia transformed

into touristic activities, what role have tour guides played, and how can they contribute further

to this process? Despite their initial appearances, tour guides possess the qualifications to

enhance the cultural aspects of tourism activities, thereby contributing to their sustainability.

In the Cappadocia Region, we obtained the research data through observation techniques.

According to the research results, in Cappadocia, women-operated cooperatives that produce

various types of handcrafted items provide an excellent illustration of the sustainability of

local cultures. The study also considers other examples, including culinary culture (traditional

foods of different cultural groups, wine making, etc.), traditional carpet weaving, and pottery

production. Furthermore, the study examines the integration of these elements into the

tourism industry, their transformation into tourist attractions, and the role of tour guides. The

study's data source is the experiences and observations of the authors, who are also tourist

guides. The study, which falls under the umbrella of UNESCO's concept of intangible cultural

heritage and has a social and cultural anthropological perspective, demonstrates how guided

tours and tourism-related activities can facilitate the growth of local economies and cultures in

Cappadocia. Additionally, it offers insights that can inform the development of similar

initiatives in other regions.

Keywords: modernity, folk culture, sustainability, tour guides, Cappadocia.