Evaluation of primarly natural, historical and cultural resources of Afyonkarahisar province in terms of sustainable tourism

This study was conducted to evaluate sustainability of natural, historical, and cultural resources of Afyonkarahisar province in terms of tourism, which is one of the cities in Turkey with important thermal tourism opportunities. In the study, present tourism values were evaluated in Afyonkarahisar Province first and then supply-demand, competition, and market analysis were conducted to determine tourism potentials in the city.The present tourism values in the city were determined by literature review and field trips while Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) were used to map present and potential tourism resources in the city with their areas of influence (hinterland). Various published statistical data were used in the study to investigate developments in the city?s tourism from past to present. Survey method was also used to evaluate environmental, economic, and social impacts of tourism developments in the city. Two different surveys were used in the study. The first survey consisted of 21 questions and aimed at identifying environmental, economic, and social impacts of tourism in the city. This survey was conducted on 1025 people living in the city. The second survey was aimed at revealing the tourist profile of the city by consisting of 25 questions such as why tourists prefer Afyonkarahisar, which characteristics of the city they would like to see and how long they stay in the city. This second survey was conducted on 352 domestic tourists. The survey results were analyzed by SPSS 17.0.The study revealed that tourism has a great potential for social and economic developments in Afyonkarahisar. As found in the study, natural and cultural resources of the city have enough potential for tourism development; however, they are not being used efficiently and effectively enough to have sustainable growth in tourism. As revealed in the study, despite all the modern facilities which make Afyonkarahisar an important center of attraction for thermal tourism, rapid unplanned urbanization has been threatening what the city can gain from tourism in the future by causing excessive and uncontrolled use of hot springs and serious environmental problems. As the survey results show, majority of the tourists visiting Afyonkarahisar would like to have a cleaner environment, a quite nature, protected natural, historical, and cultural structures, quality service, and qualified touristic facilities as seen in the new developing tourism approach in the world. It is most likely that tourism will develop in Afyonkarahisar further if it is regulated and planned with this new tourism approach.Tourism comprises of many versatile relationships that affect and are affected by the environment. In order to have a long-lasting and efficient tourism which operates in such a multi-way interaction, tourism values should be preserved and kept alive. Therefore, natural, historical, and cultural sources should be used in accordance with principles of sustainable tourism in Afyonkarahisar in order for tourism activities to continue in a healthy way and to be transferred to the next generations.Keywords: Afyonkarahisar, tourism, sustainable development, tourism planning