Tradition, Tourism and Folklorism in the Vicinity of Dalyan and Koycegiz

Abstract

The term folklorism is introduced by Hans Moser's works to folklore researches in Germany. The term indicates that, by abstracting traditional products from their natural environmental concepts and the using them for commercial purposes in tourism and mass media like radio and television. To analyze the performing places, performers, listeners and the audience, the structural features and functions of folkloric products, that used apart from the traditional context, are also in the field of Folklore studies This study considers the use of legends in tourism activities in context of tradition and tourism relations in the vicinity of Dalyan and Koycegiz. The legends of ducts and thermal springs of Dalyan and Koycegiz are told both to domestic and foreign tourists. Those legends which taken either from Greek and Roman sources or oral tradition, are used for tourism; however these legends have some changes regarding telling time and place. In addition, these legends have not only made these regions to be attractive, but also they are worthy showing that traditions can be marketed. Tourism makes a positive contribution on the way through the locality to universality. By using the folkloric products in an appropriate way, the tourism sector will get the positive feedbacks in an efficient way.