Management of Sustainable Tourism and Cultural Heritage for the Ancient Hittite Road

Abstract

Cultural routes are included in the World Heritage List within the scope of the thematic works determined by UNESCO in 2010, and efforts are made to ensure sustainability. Cultural routes are communication networks by land, water or other physical roads between countries, regions or continents that have unique dynamics with cultural, economic and historical functionality and are used for different purposes (military, commercial, religious, etc.) in the past and/or today. These routes are not only a cultural heritage but are also important destinations for the tourism sector. However, in the tourism market, the cultural value of these routes has often been destroyed or exterminated, and the local people are neglected by the demands of tourism. Since the Hittite Road, which is focused on the ancient capital of Hattusha in Central Anatolia, is not yet an attractive destination for popular tourism, there is hope that this road will be managed with a sustainable conservation and tourism approach. For this purpose, this study aims to define the principles to guide the management plan of the Hittite Road.