Examples of Rural Tourism in Turkey

Turkey has a favourable geographic, cultural and humanity structure for rural tourism. Through all these rich resources, the increasing demand for rural tourism can be met, a considerable amount of share can be gained and many advantages can be taken. However, as in all types of tourism, it is essential to express that local analysis be carried out while dealing with rural tourism. The determination of local facilities for rural tourism is very important in that strategies of tourism all across the country should be identified in a more realistic way. It is necessary that the strengths and weaknesses, threats and opportunities of each region having the potential to develop in terms of rural tourism be exhibited in detail, creating a roadmap.

2. Rural tourism organizations

According to Soykan (2000); rural tourism is a planned an organization.

In the contemporary world, an increasing number of enterprises, including rural tourism businesses, employ marketing methods and knowledge in their activities. Rural tourism has an exclusive link with nature. For this reason its services became very popular. Its development is furthered by the right marketing system and an expedient EU and national support. Rural tourism becomes a new field of activities, which makes good income and returns in rural areas and enables to change from agricultural production to service trade (Ramanauskiene, Gargasas & Ramanauskas, 2006).

Morrison (1998) identified the impotance of co-operation in the tourism sector particularly for those who are located in a peripheral region or area. She defines co-operation as that which is ‘between one or more tourist product providers, whereby each partner seeks to add to its marketing competencies by combining some, but not all of their resources with those of its partners for mutual benefit’.

Regarding an organization to be founded, mostly subjects such as creation of opportunities regarding marketing, provision of a good price and utilization of state support and aid are notable. Subjects of education and cooperation follow these.

Answers given to the question of in what areas the organization to be founded for ecotourism would be effective were included in the cluster analysis in terms of the answers.

These are:

• Effective marketing of products related to rural tourism,

• Increase of the value of products,

• Provision of technical support regarding the issues of farming, cultivation, operation, marketing and export and of education facilities,

• Utilization of nature and culture effectively,

• Provision of government subsidies and aids,

• Active cooperation with other firms.

Agro-tourism is an innovative operation that is not bound to providing accommodation and catering services, but also gives the local community the opportunity to develop, maintain its folklore, bring back to life long-forgotten skills and crafts and produce traditional products (woven items, embroidery, preserves, jams, pasta, aromatic herbs etc). It also helps in the revival of local customs and the organization of traditional events. In achieving the ambitious aims of agrotourism, the contribution of women is of primary importance. Women develop various agrotourism activities through private companies (individual or corporate enterprises) or cooperatives (Aggelopoulos, Kamenidou & Pavloudi, 2008).

Women’s organizations of rural tourism and the related projects and educational studies in Turkey are evaluated and some selected significant information is presented.

Updated: October 6, 2015 — 4:16 am