The Power of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Tourism: Troy Legends and Myths

The ancient city of Troy is one of the important tourist destinations with its tangible and intangible cultural values. The possibility that the Trojan War, which is the subject of the epics of the famous poet Homer, may have taken place in this region is supported by archaeological remains. The legends and mythological events in the epic, together with the archaeological remains, make Troy a center of attraction for tourists. Tourists visiting Troy, which was added to the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1998, have the opportunity to see archaeological remains related to mythological stories that have been recognized internationally for many years. This study's primary goals are to highlight the significance of intangible cultural heritage in tourism and discuss the contributions that this legacy makes to the travel and tourism sector. Because of this, a review of the literature was done utilizing both primary and secondary sources, and content analysis was applied. Within the scope of the study, studies on tourism, legend, and myth in the literature were looked at; the link between intangible cultural heritage, legend, and myth was described; examples of well-known locations with legends and myths worldwide were provided. Then, myths and legends about the Ancient City of Troy were presented, along with how they linked to Troy tourism and Çanakkale. The study's findings showed that the region's tourist appeal was boosted by the legends and myths of Troy, which also encouraged locals to participate in tourism-related activities and promoted the area's history and cultural identity internationally.