The tourism policies in Turkey since 1982 and the impact of these policies on the economy of Çanakkale

iiiABSTRACTIt is necessary to consider tourism concept under the content of a policyrelated to commerce, agriculture, and industry as it relates with many economicalfields and it is significant in various ways. The tourism industry, which is notaccurately managed, can lead to economical instability, social and culturaldegeneration, abuse of financial sources and demolition of historical sites. For thisreason, it is vital to follow appropriate long-term strategies in tourism sector in orderto increase the benefits of touristy development and to decrease the possible loss andto take the necessary precautions following the footprints of those strategies.In the period of Incentive Planning carried out in Turkey since 1963, manysafety measures have been taken into consideration and put into progress. The periodfollowing the year 1982 is considered as the most important, considering thedevelopment of tourism after the foundation of the republic. In this period, a hugeprogress is noted in touristy demand, the amount of foreign currency, and the numberof the tourists.Çanakkale, holding cultural, touristy, and historical wealth, has always been apopular place for tourists. The Tourism Incentive Law effectuated in 1982, enliventhe tourism sector in Çanakkale via the provided various economicalencouragements, and increased credit facilities for private sector. However, manyresults of the surveys conducted in Çanakkale on tourism sector revealed that theexpected efficient investments were not achieved. The documents on incentivesconcerning tourism investment only covers a share of 0.93 % over the totalinvestments in Çanakkale between the years 1982 and 2006, this finding supports theresults of the mentioned surveys. Within these years, the infrastructure of the city,the transportation system attempted to be improved within the frame of IncentivePlanning and there was a sufficient progress in educational and environmentalpolicies in Çanakkale.This study investigated the impacts of the tourism policies followed inTurkey, which have been carried out since 1982 on Çanakkale?s economy, andivsearched for precautions and solutions which are expected to provide an increase intourism incomes accepted as a major supply in Çanakkale?s economy.In the first section of this study briefly; tourism, tourism policies and theiraims are explained and then the Turkish Tourism Policies are examined in twoperiods called as Pre-Planned Period and Post-Planned Period. In the second section,Çanakkale?s natural, historical, and cultural values are described and theimprovement of touristy offer and demand is conducted. In the third section theimplemenatationof Incentive precautions provided for touristy investments inÇanakkale following the year 1982 was given in details and the impact of touristypolicies on Çanakkale?s economy was tried to be appraised in the scope of this study.