In alleviation of rural poverty in the role and importance ofrural tourism: Lower Büyük Menderes Basin example

Tourism is seen as an important source of macroeconomic growth and development moves of the countries, where the paradoxical globalization process continues rapidly. However, globalization is squeezing cities into its cycle quickly and distortedly. Increasing density in the cities brings with it a repetitive, boring, wearing and printed life. As a result, individuals as a way to heal themselves psychologically, sociologically and culturally; They want to take a break from the order and the roles they are in, the roles they are installed. For this, it is seen that they are in search of alternative holiday types and places. The appeal of nature attracts individuals who have worn away from the printed city life and who want to get away from all their concerns even for a short time. Today, it is remarkable that the demand for tourism has a tendency towards rural areas, related to the increase in the living standards and income of individuals and related to the need for self-determination. Changing holiday demand gives rural areas the opportunity to diversify their touristic products. Thus, rural tourism is considered as an important way to revive the agriculture-based economy in rural areas, to increase the income of the inhabitants of the region, to improve welfare levels and living conditions. In this study, in which the effects of rural tourism were investigated in the process of rural poverty reduction in rural areas, in the rural areas of Güllübahçe (Gelebeç), Priene, Eski Doğanbey Village (Domatia), Avşar (Myus), Bafa Lake Nature Park and Ancient Herakleia City in the Lower Büyük Menderes Basin were investigated. It has been concluded that tourism's rural population development in situ reduces rural poverty accordingly. The phenomenon of rural poverty, which is considered as an international concern, was tried to be handled from a broad perspective in this research. It has been determined that individuals can greatly reduce the current cycles of rural poverty through rural tourism by using their skills. Keywords: Rural poverty, rural development, rural tourism, Lower Büyük Menderes Basin.