Sürdürülebilir Turizm Anabilim Dalı

Korunan alanlarda sürdürülebilir dağ turizminin planlanması: Aladağlar'da dağcıların bilgi birikiminden faydalanılması

This thesis presents an alternative view to the typical depiction of tourists in tourism scholarship, which often sees them solely as consumers. Even in cases where tourism is linked to conservation and sustainable development, the tourist is frequently viewed as an individual whose personal interests or lifestyle may not support the collective goal of preserving natural resources and ecosystem functions. In contrast, this study introduces a new perspective, considering tourists as a group capable of impactful collective actions. Although these actions may differ from the traditional image of a 'responsible tourist', they are significant. The focus is on mountaineers, a community with a history of organizing under clubs and evolving into an international network of nature enthusiasts. This thesis examines their collective behaviors and organizational methods through qualitative research, investigating mountaineers' 'codes of conduct' before, during, and following their journeys. The study also examines their reactions to the increasing popularity of nature-based tourism, particularly in the context of Aladağlar National Park, an emerging tourist destination. The thesis argues that mountaineers have actively 'kept watch' over and influenced the development of Aladağlar since before its designation as a National Park.