Local residents of Amasra are aware of the natural, historic and cultural values of the town and believe that these values should be protected for sustainable tourism. Moreover, they are aware that the new land development is incompatible with the traditional urban pattern.
3.3 The expectations and suggestions of the local residents regarding tourism planning and management strategies in Amasra
First of all, the negative environmental factors (see Figure 6) that could hinder the development of tourism activities in Amasra should be overcome for sustainable tourism planning and management. An effective tourism planning and management in Amasra should be sustainable for the natural and cultural environment, economically efficient and supported by the local community. In addition, public awareness-training seminars on tourism could be organized.
In sustainable tourism planning and management, tourism development should be planned according to the carrying capacity of the city for protecting and maintaining the natural, cultural and historical values and for tourism to be sustainable. In this respect, both natural and social aspects need to be addressed as a whole, and planning should be carried out in accordance with national and international regulations.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (2009), coordination among destinations within a region usually improves planning. Considering the ties among regional assets and attractions during the planning phase would create opportunities for linking all the regional attractions of a destination. In addition to its own dynamics, Amasra should establish relationships with its hinterland for diversifying tourism activities and making them year-long. In this respect, the natural beaches in the 59-km coastal area of Bartin, one of Europe’s major ecosystems, Kastamonu-Bartin Kure Mountains National Park, the Bartin River, the only natural waterway that allows for transport in Turkey, and Safranbolu, which is in the UNESCO World Heritage List, should be integrated into the regional tourism plan as greenway planning.
As a result, tourism planning and management strategies considering the balance between
protection and use of natural and cultural values and based on public participation would
contribute to sustainable regional development.
