From Retreat to Regeneration: Optimizing Sustainable Heritage Tourism through Turkish Çilehanes under a Triple-Bottom-Line Systems Approach in Anatolia

Çilehanes, once secluded Sufi retreats, present untapped potential for advancing sustainable heritage tourism in Anatolia. This study evaluates the adaptive reuse of the fifteenth-century Somuncu Baba Çilehane through a triple-bottom-line lens, guided by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria, alongside Magis and Shinn’s social sustainability principles and Palang and Fry’s landscape framework. Employing a triangulated methodology of literature review, on-site architectural analysis, and stakeholder interviews, the findings reveal that conservation efforts have preserved architectural integrity while revitalising intangible heritage practices. Economic gains have emerged through local employment and SME development, yet seasonal visitor peaks continue to strain waste management and accessibility. The research proposes a transferable evaluation matrix that integrates global standards with place-specific socio-ecological indicators, demonstrating that context-sensitive, community-led reuse can transform Çilehanes into laboratories of environmental stewardship and cultural continuity. However, adaptive, cycle-driven governance is essential to mitigate visitor pressure and ensure equitable benefit distribution. The study contributes a practical model for policymakers and heritage managers aiming to reconcile heritage conservation with sustainable tourism development within culturally layered landscapes