The Role of Cultural Heritage in Sustainable Tourism Development: The Case of Istanbul Kalkhedon Region

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of cultural heritage in shaping sustainable tourism development in Istanbul’s Kalkhedon (Kadıköy) region. Turkey's unique cultural and historical heritage is inadequately investigated and lacks prioritization in the context of sustainability concerning tourism's appealing aspects. The historical legacy of Kalkhedon is predominantly overlooked due to urbanization and population shifts. The historical ruins of Kalkhedon have largely remained in the shadow of urbanization and population changes throughout the 20th century. Existing literature has explored the relationship between cultural assets and tourism destinations from various perspectives. However, there is a significant gap in research that specifically examines the impact of historical and cultural heritage on sustainable tourism, particularly in regions like Istanbul’s Kalkhedon This study attempts to address the deficiency in existing literature by examining the impact of cultural heritage on sustainable tourism practices and its contribution to the overarching objectives of maintaining the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural integrity of the Kalkhedon region. The research was conducted using a qualitative method and a phenomenological design. Thematic coding was applied to the data collected from in-depth interviews with nine participants, and the analysis was conducted using MAXQDA software. Furthermore, the findings of this study reveal that sustainable tourism not only contributes to economic development but also plays a crucial role in preserving cultural values and raising environmental awareness. Lastly, the study emphasizes the importance of environmental consciousness and local cooperation in sustainable tourism strategies, providing related recommendations.