THEME PARKS AND CHILD-FRIENDLY TOURISM

Tourism is a phenomenon that has continuously evolved alongside human history. Especially with the developments that took place after the Second World War (such as the beginning of the use of airplanes for civil transportation, the development of mass communication tools, the rise in individuals' education levels, the right to paid leave, and the increase in people's free time), tourism began to gain momentum on a global scale and shows diversity in individual and mass formats. Alongside sea-sun-sand tourism, which is the first thing that comes to mind when tourism is mentioned, there are many types of tourism such as ecotourism, nature tourism, plateau tourism, rural tourism, sports tourism, health tourism, cultural tourism, congress tourism, faith tourism, youth tourism, third-age tourism, and gastronomy tourism. Furthermore, several reasons have been influential in the emergence of numerous types of tourism: the adoption of the sustainable tourism approach after the 1980s, the necessity of protecting natural, historical, and cultural values and transferring them to future generations, people's desire to actively participate in matters requiring production and creativity in tourism, and individuals seeking diversity in recreational activities.

Moving from the factors stated above, alongside tourism and entertainment, the need has begun to arise for recreational areas where natural, historical, and cultural resources can be used thriftily. To meet this need and respond particularly to the expectations of families with children, themed parks have been built in many destinations.