Abstract
The purpose of this research is to develop suggestions to improve sports tourism by identifying the strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats of Mersin in terms of sports tourism. For this purpose, face-to-face interviews were held with 40 experts who have a direct relationship with sports and tourism. The data obtained were analyzed by the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis method. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that the three strongest aspects of Mersin province in terms of sports tourism are its climate, sports facilities and nature suitable for sports tourism. The three weakest factors were the inadequacy of infrastructure investments, insufficient transportation facilities and inadequate publicity. The three most important opportunities in the future are determined as the increase in the number of sports organizations in recent years, the development of transportation opportunities and the increase of promotion. On the other hand, the three most important threats in the future are geopolitical location, the risk of inactive facilities and economic stagnation.