Evaluation of ecotourism potential of Akdağ Nature Park, Afyonkarahisar?Sandıklı

The natural, historical and cultural attractiveness are the main determinants for the existence or the development of tourism in a country or region. Usage limits of these resources, especially natural resources, make the sustainability essential in resource utilization. One of the basic ways of sustainable use of natural resources, in particular, for tourism purposes is ecotourism. The principles of providing economic benefit to local people by educating tourists and limiting resource use in ecotourism practices make ecotourism the most important types of tourism to achieve the purpose of protection of natural resources.In this study, determination and evaluation of the ecotourism potential of Akdağ Nature Park, located between Afyonkarahisar and Denizli provinces are aimed. As research methods, interviews with local people and administrators are conducted, secondary data analysis were made and SWOT analysis technique is used to define strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the Akdağ Nature Park. In addition, documents obtained from the relevant institutions related with the research area, the information and data obtained through field observations and investigations, written and visual documents of Non-Governmental organizations were used. In conclusion, it is seen that the area has great values with its geographical, ecological, and socio-cultural features which forms a base to ecotourism and has potential for trekking, bird watching, transhumance, wild life tours, adventure and sport tourism, hunting, history tours and photography in the framework of ecotourism.Keywords: Akdağ Nature Park, ecotourism, sustainable tourism, Afyonkarahisar, Sandıklı