Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
role in tourism development will be discus-
sed indirectly in relation to the principal tour-
ism attractions and resources in Turkey (see
Table 21.1).
Turkey's natural tourism attractions can be
classified under four sub-headings.
spelunking (caving). Tourists can enjoy water
sports such as diving and water skiing in the
Mediterranean or Aegean Sea, and during the
same visit they can take part in winter sports in
Central or Eastern Anatolia.
Culturally, Anatolia (Asian Turkey, histori-
cally known as 'Asia Minor') has acted as the
crossroads of many civilizations throughout
history, from palaeolithic onwards, through to
Greek, Persian, Roman, early Christian, early
Islamic, Ottoman, and the Republic of Turkey
(Yenen, 1997; Ministry of Culture and Tourism,
2005; Yale
et al
., 2005). For living culture, Turkey
contains considerable diversity among its regions.
However, as a consequence of elite oriented
modernization efforts (see Keyman, 2005),
impacts of technological change and globaliza-
tion, industrialization, urbanization, and tourist-
host interactions (see Tosun, 2002), a significant
part of traditional Turkish society has changed
and moved towards a Western lifestyle. None
the less, rural Turkey has managed to preserve
its unique cultural characteristics. These include
a hybrid rural culture reflecting a mix of Turkish,
Greek and Bulgarian orientation in the Aegean
region. Authentic
Yoruk Koyleri
(Nomad Villages)
can be found in the inner part of the Mediterranean
region, while in the Eastern and South-eastern
Anatolia regions, a mixture of Turkish, Arabic
and Persian cultures can be found.
Tourism infrastructure is well developed in
the Aegean, Mediterranean and Marmara regions,
and less so in the relatively less developed regions
such as the interior of the Black Sea region,
Central Anatolia, Eastern and South-eastern
Anatolia. Tourism accommodation, cuisine, enter-
tainment, and retail facilities are well-developed
in the tourism regions whose boundaries were
determined by the Tourism Encouragement
Law in 1982. Most of these are on the western
and southern coasts. Due to the generous fiscal,
financial and bureaucratic incentives given to
the tourism industry during 1980s and early
1990s the coastal part of Turkey has experi-
enced a rapid growth in terms of supply capacity
and
Sun-sea-sand
This includes the mass tourism attractions which
are to be found on Turkey's western and south-
ern coasts. While the hot, dry Mediterranean cli-
mate on the western and southern coasts along
with long sandy beaches has helped Turkey
become one of the most popular '3S' tourist
destinations, it also provides opportunities for
various water sports, yachting and golf (see
Fig. 21.1).
Geological formations
These include two spectacular attractions:
Pamukkale Travertines and Fairy Chimneys of
Cappadocia. While the Pamukkale Travertines -
giant steps of limestone deposits - are located in
the Aegean region, the Fairy Chimneys are situ-
ated in Central Anatolia. Both of these natural
spectacular formations are listed as UNESCO
World Heritage Sites and attract large numbers
of tourists and tourism investment in their locality
(Tosun, 1998; Yuksel
et al
., 1999).
Flora and fauna
These include a considerable diversity, and
generate special interest tourism including
ornithology, hunting and endemic plant picking
(Adaman and Arsel, 2005; Ministry of Culture
and Tourism, 2005).
Adventure environments
tourism
demand
(Sezer
and
Harrison,
1994; Tosun 1999). In this regard,
a pronounced spatial dichotomy has evolved in
Turkish tourism between a privileged space
along the coast and an underprivileged space
in the interior of the country.
(Göymen, 2000, p. 1030)
Turkey has a wide range of mountains, rivers,
lakes, caves and caverns, and highland pastures.
Each has potential to be utilized for a range
of adventure activities, including rafting, under-
water diving, mountaineering, winter sports and
