The Transformation of Islamist Discourse and Its Impact on the Tourism Industry in Turkey: A Case Study of the Justice and Development Party

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Seyyed Javad Salehi ^{1 ¶}

Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Adeli ²

¹ Associate Professor of International Relations, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

² PhD Candidate in Political Science – Political Thought, International Campus, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22067/irlip.2026.91323.1605

Abstract

Tourism has become one of the most important and influential sectors of the global economy, contributing significantly to economic growth, employment, foreign-exchange earnings, and international exchange. The Middle East, owing to its strategic geopolitical position and rich historical and cultural heritage, constitutes an important region in the global tourism system. Among the countries of the region, Turkey has long been one of the most prominent international tourism destinations. The tourism sector has also played a significant role in Turkey's economic development and integration into the global economy.
The main objective of this article is to examine the impact of the transformation of Islamist discourse on the tourism industry in Turkey, with particular emphasis on the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) era. The central argument is that the transformation of Islamist discourse during the AK Party's rule toward a hybrid discourse combining elements of Islamism, conservatism, democracy, and neoliberalism contributed to the creation of a new political, institutional, and normative environment for the development of tourism. The study draws theoretically and methodologically on the discourse theory of Laclau and Mouffe. The findings indicate that the rise of the AK Party and the transformation of Islamist discourse were accompanied by significant legal, institutional, normative, and policy changes in the tourism sector, which contributed to its expansion and diversification.

Keywords

Islamism

Political Islam

Tourism

Justice and Development Party

AK Party

Discourse Theory

Laclau and Mouffe

Turkey

Middle East

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