A study of an ecologically based recreation and tourism planning approach: a case study on Trabzon Çalköy high plateau in Turkey

Abstract

The Çalköy high plateau settlement, located in a pristine landscape, is thought to have considerable potential for recreation and nature tourism. This study focused primarily on the natural and cultural values of the area and their prospective utility for recreation and tourism. Additionally, the behaviours and activities of local people in terms of recreation and those of visitors in terms of tourism were examined and their environmental impacts were assessed. Interviews were conducted with four different groups comprising visitors, local people, local administrators and public authorities. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis was employed to determine the key aspects that could be used to inform the planning of local, ecologically based recreation and tourism. The method enables stakeholders and local people to give their perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of the area along with opportunities and threats. These factors were then applied to a TOWS (Threats, Opportunities, Weaknesses and Strengths) matrix to identify those features that need to be strategically enhanced or ameliorated in the planning context. The result of the study, according to the SWOT/TOWS analysis, is that Çalköy village pasture is one of the suggested places for high plateau tourism. Çal village plateau has exposed a variety of current and future challenges. There will be an increase in tourism activities in Çalköy village.

Keywords:

• Çal village
• high plateau settlement
• high plateau tourism
• rural recreation
• SWOT
• ecological planning

Acknowledgements

This research presented here formed a part of a master's research project of the author in the Landscape Architecture Department at the Karadeniz Technical University. The authors thank all the visitors who participated in the survey and Çalköy inhabitants for their help with data entry. I wish to thank my supervisor Öner Demirel and reviewers of the paper for their comments and supports.