The Project to Develop Cultural Infrastructure and Promote Interregional Tourism in Gaziantep, Kilis and Aleppo

The Aim

The main aim of the project known as the “Project to Develop Cultural Infrastructure and Increase Interregional Tourism in Gaziantep, Kilis and Aleppo” was:  

-    to extensively publicize Gaziantep and Kilis in Syria by means of rich content publications and films in Turkish, Arabic and English;  

-    to develop cultural relations between the two countries under the stimulating influence of the project output;

-    to increase tourism by means of effective publicity, thereby contributing to economic and social development in the region.

Increasing cultural dialogue plays a key role in the development of social, economic and commercial relations.  By providing publications/broadcasts with cultural content, our project will contribute to the effectiveness of the Free Trade Agreement, which was signed between Turkey and Syria on 22 December, 2004 with the aim of developing joint investments by the two countries and creating favourable conditions to encourage new investment.

The Project's Target Audience

-    The people of the region

-    Syrian tourists (According to the Gaziantep Board for Culture and Tourism; 22,733 Syrian tourists visited the region in 2007)

-    Domestic and foreign visitors

-    Tourism-related businesses (travel agencies, tour guides, restaurants etc.)

-    Libraries

-    Public institutions and enterprises in the provinces of Gaziantep and Kilis

The Project's Ultimate Beneficiaries

-    Domestic and foreign visitors

-    Tourism-related businesses (travel agencies, tour guides, restaurants etc.)

-    Local governments

-    Academicians doing research in the region (archaeologists, artists, historians etc.)

-    Libraries

-    Local and national media organizations

Anticipated Results

-    The promotion of Gaziantep and Kilis provinces, firstly in Syria, and in the international arena as a whole.

-    An increase in the average length of stay of domestic and foreign visitors to Gaziantep and Kilis.

-    Domestic and international visitors to the region will gain broad knowledge of Gaziantep and Kilis via publications in Turkish, Arabic and English.

-    With increased printed and broadcast information about Gaziantep and Kilis, there will be a rise in interest among academic circles leading to increased scientific research in the region.

The Multiplier Effect

With the increase in tourism potential and interest from academic circles, the outcome of the project will enable the protection of the cultural heritage of Gaziantep and Kilis, and the development of new ideas to publicize the region.

Town plans which also cover the Gaziantep and Kilis provinces will provide the basis for the cultural projects that will be carried out in the region.

Output of the project will be a reference for other provinces that have a need for such development.  When the knowledge gained is shared with others throughout the region, there will be cooperation with those doing similar work in the Republic of Syria, which will indirectly lead to increased employment.

The website providing international access via the virtual environment, and the information signboards at buildings of historical and cultural importance in the two provinces, will serve to widen the publicity network beyond the immediate aims of the project, thereby having a knock-on effect.