THE EVALUATION OF RECREATIONAL AREAS IN TERMS OF ECOLOGICAL-CULTURAL TOURISM


Author(s): Bahriye Gülgün1, Atakan Pirli2, Kubra Yazici3, Funda Ankaya4
  • 1. Department of Landscape Architecture Faculty of Agriculture, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir- Turkey
  • 2. Ege University, Agriculture Faculty, Landscape Architecture Dept, Izmir, Turkey;
  • 3. Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Gaziosmanpasa University, Taslciftlik campus, Tokat, -Turkey
  • 4. Manisa Celal Bayar University, Alaşehir Vocational School, Landscape and Ornamental Plants Program, 45600 Alaşehir/Manisa.

Abstract: Tourism is the fastest developing and fastest growing industry in the world and has become one of the fields of social sciences. Lately, cultural tourism phenomena have gained importance in the field of tourism worldwide. Belief and art have a significant place in the concept of ecological-cultural tourism. Eco-cultural tourism is the combination of the ecological and cultural components of a landscape. This study aimed as a way to develop marginal cultures and natural resources. Sustainability is a significant factor for the long-term future of tourism. The principles of ecotourism, which carry all the principles of sustainability, and cultural tourism, where different and current practices of cultures are evaluated together, form the basis of the concept of eco-cultural tourism. The most significant element is to ensure sustainability in the eco-cultural tourism approach, development for local control of planning, and maintenance of the areas. In this study, the first step is to observe and define the relationship of the local community with its environment. Eco-cultural tourism is a model of ecotourism and cultural tourism that employs local people. In this study, belief and art were evaluated from the perspective of cultural tourism and ecotourism, and examples within the scope of ecological cultural tourism were evaluated.