Examination of Salt Museums in The World in The Context of Cultural Heritage Tourism and Recommendations for Türkiye

Abstract

Salt has played a significant role for humanity throughout history, not only as a foodstuff but also as an economic, cultural, and social asset. In this context, salt museums stand out as important institutions showcasing salt's historical production methods, cultural significance, and industrial heritage. The aim of this study is to examine the role of salt, which has held strategic economic, social, and cultural value throughout human history, within the tourism phenomenon and, in this context, to reveal the role and functions of salt museums worldwide and how they are utilized as tourist attractions. The study utilized secondary data and included a total of 12 salt museums worldwide as a sample. The evaluation explains how these museums stand out as effective tools in preserving, transferring, and transforming cultural heritage into economic value. The study concludes with evaluations and offers suggestions for sites in Türkiye that could serve as examples of salt heritage.