Traditional Handicrafts and Tourism from the Perspective of Travel Agencies

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between traditional handicrafts and tourism from the perspective of travel agencies and explores tourism’s contribution to the sustainability of these cultural heritage elements. A mixed-methods approach was adopted. Quantitative data were collected from 182 travel agencies in Trabzon through questionnaires, while qualitative data were obtained from semi-structured interviews with 12 travel agency managers selected through purposive sampling. The findings indicate that travel agencies regard traditional handicrafts as an important element of cultural heritage and tourism as a key means of preserving them. However, their knowledge of the historical origins and cultural background of these handicrafts remains limited. Inadequate promotion, insufficient economic and institutional support, and limited financial incentives were identified as the main barriers to integrating traditional handicrafts into tourism. The study contributes to the literature by providing a regional and practice-oriented perspective. It recommends strengthening promotional activities, institutional support, and experience-based tourism practices to ensure the sustainable integration of traditional handicrafts into tourism.

Keywords

• Traditional handicrafts
• travel agencies
• Trabzon tourism
• Intangible cultural heritage
• Tourism products

Ethical Statement

This study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and received ethical approval from the Trabzon University Social and Human Sciences Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee on 27 October 2025 (Approval No. E-81614018-050.04-2500064911). The ethical appropriateness of the research procedures, materials, and data collection instruments was reviewed and approved by the committee.

Seyahat Acentelerinin Bakış Açısından Geleneksel El sanatları ve Turizm

Abstract

Çalışma, seyahat acentaları perspektifinden geleneksel el sanatları ile turizm arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemekte ve turizmin bu kültürel miras unsurlarının sürdürülebilirliğine katkısını araştırmaktadır. Araştırmada karma yöntem yaklaşımı benimsenmiştir. Nicel veriler, Trabzon'da faaliyet gösteren 182 seyahat acentasından anket yoluyla, nitel veriler ise amaçlı örnekleme yöntemiyle seçilen 12 seyahat acentası yöneticisiyle gerçekleştirilen yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmelerden elde edilmiştir. Bulgular, seyahat acentalarının geleneksel el sanatlarını kültürel mirasın önemli bir unsuru olarak değerlendirdiğini ve turizmi bu değerlerin korunmasında temel bir araç olarak gördüğünü göstermektedir. Bununla birlikte, geleneksel el sanatlarının tarihsel kökeni ve kültürel geçmişine ilişkin bilgi düzeylerinin sınırlı olduğu belirlenmiştir. Yetersiz tanıtım, ekonomik ve kurumsal desteğin yetersizliği ile finansal teşviklerin sınırlı olması, geleneksel el sanatlarının turizme entegrasyonunun önündeki temel engeller olarak belirlenmiştir. Çalışma, bölgesel ve uygulamaya yönelik bir bakış açısı sunarak literatüre katkı sağlamaktadır. Bu doğrultuda, geleneksel el sanatlarının turizme sürdürülebilir biçimde entegrasyonunu sağlamak amacıyla tanıtım faaliyetlerinin artırılması, kurumsal desteğin güçlendirilmesi ve deneyim temelli turizm uygulamalarının yaygınlaştırılması önerilmektedir.

Keywords

• Geleneksel el sanatları
• Seyahat Acentesi
• Trabzon turizmi
• somut olmayan kültürel miras
• Turizm ürünleri

Ethical Statement

This study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and received ethical approval from the Trabzon University Social and Human Sciences Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee on 27 October 2025 (Approval No. E-81614018-050.04-2500064911). The ethical appropriateness of the research procedures, materials, and data collection instruments was reviewed and approved by the committee.

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