Post-earthquake spatial analysis of tourism infrastructure: the Adıyaman, Türkiye case

This study investigates the repercussions of the Kahramanmara & scedil; earthquake, which occurred on 6 February 2023, on the tourism infrastructure in Ad & imath;yaman province. Ad & imath;yaman, distinguished by its historical and cultural heritage, experienced substantial physical and economic damage as a result of the earthquake. The primary objective of this study is to employ spatial analysis methodologies to ascertain the extent to which structures with a direct or indirect bearing on tourism were impacted by the earthquake, thereby providing actionable insights to inform the reconstruction process in this sector. The study utilized geographical information systems to facilitate spatial analyses, complemented by satellite images and field data, thereby enabling a comprehensive examination of the damage status of critical tourism infrastructures. 284 structures directly related to tourism and 4769 structures indirectly related to tourism were analyzed. These analyses revealed the relationship of the structures with geological features and their post-earthquake damage status. The findings indicated that structures located within the undifferentiated continental clastic rock formation were particularly susceptible to significant damage. The most significant levels of damage were observed in the categories of 'supporting services' and 'historical and touristic facilities'. The findings indicate that a substantial proportion of the tourism infrastructure in Ad & imath;yaman has been significantly damaged, necessitating urgent intervention, particularly concerning the protection of historical and cultural heritage sites. The data obtained provide concrete information to decision-makers on which areas should be prioritized in the post-disaster recovery process. This study is thus instrumental in providing a strategic framework to guide the reconstruction of Ad & imath;yaman's tourism infrastructure. Moreover, it provides a scientific basis for developing sustainable and resilient tourism policies. The study's methodological approach is applicable to regions affected by similar disasters and provides important findings that will contribute to the improvement of the tourism sector after disasters.