A RESEARCH ON MYTHS, LEGENDS AND STORIES WITH HERITAGE VALUE IN FOLKLORE-BASED TOURISM

This study aims to reveal the value of myths, legends, and stories in folklore-based tourism in destinations. To this end, the study focuses on myths, legends and stories, which are important components of folklore-based tourism, and attempts to determine the opinions of participants from the local population of Edremit Bay regarding folklore-based tourism. Using a qualitative research method, field research was conducted after obtaining permission from the Balıkesir University Social and Human Sciences Research Ethics Committee dated December 30, 2024, and numbered 2024/12-17. In this context, researchers reached the local population in Edremit Bay between January 2, 2025, and January 21, 2025, using snowball sampling and conducted in-depth face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. The data collected in the research were grouped and interpreted using thematic content analysis. The resulting 502 codes were grouped under 8 sub-themes and 3 main themes. One of the notable findings of the research is that participants found historical, cultural and natural stories interesting. Furthermore, it was determined that Sarıkız Hill, Mount Ida (Kaz Dağları), legends of Zeus, and the heroic stories of the National Forces in the Edremit Bay are the most attractive places in the region, and that folklore-based tourism encompasses intangible cultural heritage areas. In this context, it was concluded that myths, legends and stories, as well as natural experience sites (Sarıkız Hill, Mount Ida, Hasan Boğazı Waterfall, etc.), should be considered important resources and carefully evaluated in the development of folklore-based tourism in the Edremit Bay. It was also concluded that focusing on the development of folklore-based tourism by decision-makers and implementers could contribute to the diversity of tourism products in the region.