Importance of ecology-based tourism and tourism planning approach in Meryemana Creek (Macka-Trabzon) route

Abstract

Due to the fact that tourism has concentrated on sea based activities and that the carrying capacity limit of these areas have been exceeded in recent years. There has been a growing need for new touristic destinations integrated with nature, and environmentally friendly tourism forms that are blended with different cultural elements. Ecology-based tourism activities have gained importance upon ongoing interest in natural areas and rural regions. Altindere Valley, known as international tourism corridor, which embraces Meryemana Creek as well as Macka District of Trabzon Province and the neighbouring areas, owns very important values that will turn the area into a major focus of interest for tourism thanks to its rugged topography, different elevation levels and a very rich bunch of natural and cultural resource values along with unmatched biological diversity. In the current study, we seek to reveal natural resources-based and ecology-based tourism areas in order to increase the quality of the routes of National Park and Meryemana Creek, to maintain visual and organic connection between the areas of study and its neighbouring tourism areas as part of an integrated planning. For this purpose, existing forms of tourism activities are presented and planning approaches are designated on maps.