Evaluation of Ecologically Based Activities Within the Scope of Sustainable Tourism and Recreation Planning

Ebru Gürbüz and Zeynep Pirselimoğlu Batman (zeynepbatman@uludag.edu.tr)
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Ebru Gürbüz: Landscape Architecture, 16600 Gemlik, Turkey
Zeynep Pirselimoğlu Batman: Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Landscape Architecture, Bursa Uludağ University, 16059 Bursa, Turkey

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 5, 1-26

Abstract: This study aims to determine the potential of the area for diversifying ecologically based tourism and recreation activities, with a focus on balancing conservation and use to reduce the pressures on natural and cultural landscape values. Data related to the area were examined according to sustainable tourism principles, resulting in the identification of five feasible ecologically based tourism and recreation activities. In the subsequent phase, to analyze the compatibility of these activities with the area’s natural and cultural landscape values, suitability class values were mapped using GIS, based on evaluation criteria and indicators. The analysis identified suitable and highly suitable areas for camping, hiking, trekking, landscape, and nature photography, which were marked on the maps. By overlaying the activities, optimal land use was determined to cover 16.25% of the total area. Finally, the activities were assessed within the optimal land use framework using one-way analysis of variance, and relationships between different groups were identified. As a result, the most suitable activities for the study area were landscape and nature photography, while caravan camping was identified as a suitable activity.

Keywords: sustainable tourism; recreation; ecologically based tourism; hiking; trekking; landscape viewing and nature photography; tent and caravan camping (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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