The Mediating Role of Tourism Support Between Community Participation and Community-Centered Economy: The Case of Bergama Multi-layered Cultural Landscape Area

Bergama is a district in the north of Izmir and home to many cultural heritage sites. The ancient ruins, historical buildings, and natural beauties of Bergama constitute the rich multi-layered cultural landscape of the region. It has great potential for tourism with its cultural heritage sites. By revealing these values, tourism activities increase interest in the region and revitalize the local economy. Developing tourism activities in Bergama has caused local people to be involved in tourism. From an economic perspective, tourism activities in Bergama provide an important impetus to the local economy. In Bergama Multi-layered Cultural Landscape Area, community participation and economic development come to the forefront with the effects of tourism. While tourism is developing, the support of local people is important for destinations. This study aims to examine the mediating role of Bergama’s local people’s support for tourism between their participation in tourism anagement and a community-centered economy. Within the scope of this study, a questionnaire was administered to 385 local people living in Bergama, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The study population, conducted quantitatively, consists of 107.133 people living in the Bergama district. The data collected through the survey were analyzed, and a structural model was established. The results show that economic income from tourism is an important factor that increases the willingness of local people to participate in tourism management, and that support for tourism is a mediating variable between community-centered economy and community participation variables.