Konya province Derebucak district ecoturism potential and local governments and people's perception of ecoturism in the scope of sustainable tourism

Tourism activities have many bad sides such as air pollution, saving the carrying capacity in the environment, protecting the habitat of wildlife and damaging the animal and plant species in this life by increasing the pressure factor on the environment. In order to prevent all these negative tourism factors and to have a holiday at the same time, a nature-oriented alternative tourism type has emerged. As in every field, changes occur in the field of tourism and it is undergoing metamorphosis. Tourism, which contributes to the economic development of many countries, has revealed the concept of ecotourism due to the increase in people's interest in nature and cultural heritage, and the adoption of a quiet travel. In recent years, the increase in environmental awareness and the fact that people have started to devote their free time to tourism activities other than sea, sand and sun tourism has increased the interest in ecotourism and its activities. The ecotourism sector, which is one of the building blocks that ensures the sustainability of the natural environment and its resources in the tourism industry, provides a balance by supporting the relationship between natural regions, local people and touristic activities. In this study, the ecotourism potential of the Derebucak district was examined and the ecotourism perception of the local people was discussed. In addition, it examines nature-based ecotourism, which is one of the alternative and sustainable tourism types, types of ecotourism, and ecotourism in the World and Turkey. Keyword: Ecotourism, Derebucak, sustainable tourism