SWOT ANALYSIS OF ECOTOURISM AS A TOOL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A CASE RESEARCH IN NORTH-WEST BLACK SEA COASTAL ZONE OF TURKEY

摘要

Social and environmental impacts, responses and indicators are reviewed for the mainstream tourism sector worldwide, in five categories: population, peace, prosperity, pollution and protection, tourism contributions to urban development, material consumption, and pressure on protected areas. Depending on the improvement of environmental consciousness, new trends appeared and innovation and diversity increased in tourism. In recent years, tourism has been playing a more significant role in the economies of several developing countries, including Turkey. Ecotourism is seen as a tool for conservation and sustainable development. Coastal zone of Black Sea extending along the north and north-west part of the region, however, is a protected zone with regards to its natural values. Integrated ecosystems of forests, coastal zones, mountains, wetlands and dunes have both ecological and economical values for the people living in the arae. An alternative activity, which gives priority to the protection of natural and cultural values, should be improved for the people. In this research, it was aimed to determine ecotourism developments by using SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis in north-west Black Sea coast of Turkey. SWOT analysis is a method related to the analysis of the situation of the area in terms of external (opportunities and threats - OT) and internal (strengths, weaknesses - SW) factors. In this study, the ecotourism development of the area located between Bulgaria border and Istanbul, which is placed on the north-west Black Sea coastal zone of Turkey, has been evaluated via SWOT analysis, according to the landscape planning principles. Determination of ecotourism potential in the areas with high eco-tourism potential and formation of a landscape management plan are the issues that have been studied in terms of different perspectives. It is important that a planning be done for the increase of opportunities and strengths determined according to the analysis results. On the other hand, this planning process aims to decrease the weaknesses and threats as well. As a result, natural and cultural features of north-west Black Sea coastal zone of Turkey are suitable for alternative tourism. But the links between tourism, prosperity and sustainability are complex. When eco-tourism is planned well,it provides benefits for providing the sustainability of natural and cultural resources and bringing environmental, economic and social concerns together.