ABSTRACT

Traditional Kırkpınar Wrestling is the oldest sport organization that has a cultural dimension in Edirne.. Kırkpınar wrestling has socio-economic impacts for Edirne’s economy.The prior purpose of the research is to determine the effects of Kırkpınar Wrestling on Edirne’s economy. In addition, the mission of Kırkpınar Wrestling for regional development, which is traditional activity of Edirne for 643 years, has been researched. Its contribution to the Edirne’s economy, which is a border city, has been tried to be determined by means of a questionaire carried out to1068 people who came to watch the wrestling. The concept of cultural tourism will be explored and the effects of Kırkpınar Wrestling on Edirne’s economy will be analysed with the statistcal methods.