Research on the potentials of nature tourism based on rural development: Van province example

With this research, it is aimed to determine the nature tourism potentials based on rural development, and Van, which is located in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey, has been selected as the material. In the research, both the physical nature tourism potentials of Van and the sociologic relevance of the nature tourism initiatives planned to be realized based on rural development of the region and the locals were examined. During the research, findings were collected through literature surveys and questionnaire studies. The obtained findings were assessed holistically and the potentials for the implementation of the nature tourism activities of Van based on rural development were examined. In addition, criteria that restrict implementation were presented. As a result of the assessment, it was understood that Van possesses natural and cultural landscape values and nature tourism potentials. Again, it was concluded that the activities of nature tourism based on rural development will contribute to the locals and to the region in the name of rural development as the locals want to take part in nature tourism activities, that they see it as a source of economic income and they also have expectations for sociological development within the context of nature tourism activities and for the increase in the region's recognition. Key words: Nature tourism, rural development, Van.