Research Information System
Thesis Type: Postgraduate
Institution Of The Thesis: Bursa Uludağ University, FEN BİLİMLERİ ENSTİTÜSÜ, Turkey
Approval Date: 2019
Thesis Language: Turkish
Student: ESMA DURAK
Supervisor: Arzu Çahantimur
Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
Abstract:Since rural settlements shaped by its natural and structured environment, unique sociocultural structure, lifestyles are different from the monolithic structures of the cities which are increasingly similar in parallel to the developments in the world, it has become the center of attention again today and the necessary importance has been given to rural settlements. In recent years, significant changes have been observed in tourism sector, mass tourism has been gradually replaced by eco-tourism. Eco-tourism has become an important intermediary for the sustainable development of rural settlements. It is predicted that eco-tourism, which enables rural settlements to become livable areas by increasing the quality of life and economic income, will eliminate interregional imbalances. The working area of the thesis, is shaped peninsula on Lake Uluabat in Bursa province and is Turkey's only European Stork Village, Eskikaraagaç Village. Within the scope of the thesis, it is foreseen that eco-tourism is an effective intermediary to ensure the sustainability of this field. In this context, eco-tourism that will contribute to the protection of natural and cultural resources and the economy of the village have been determined by scanning the related literature and sustainable rural development targets have been established in accordance with EU standards. The natural and socio-cultural resources of the research area have been examined and as a result of the analyzes, important values that have been a source of ecotourism in the village have been revealed. In addition, current and potential eco-tourism activities have been evaluated as a result of interviews with experts who have knowledge about the field and observations made during various periods. As a result of the research and analysis, it has been concluded that the Eskikaraagaç has many values that can provide resources for eco-tourism which is considered as an effective intermediary in ensuring the sustainability of rural settlements. It is thought that the village can be an important eco-tourism center with the support of public investments and private initiatives that can be developed with the cooperation and support of local governments and the university. As a result, it has been proposed to create an eco-tourism model aiming to protect the natural and socio-cultural structure and to increase the quality of life and economic income in rural areas around Lake Uluabat, which is facing environmental threats.