Investigation of Kula-Salihli Geopark in terms of alternative recreational tourism potential

INVESTIGATION OF KULA-SALİHLİ GEOPARK IN TERMS OF ALTERNATIVE RECREATIONAL TOURISM POTENTIAL AIM It is the determination and evaluation of the current situation of Kula-Salihli Geopark, which is one of the most important areas of Turkey in terms of Geotourism, in terms of recreational tourism potential. In order to create a base in terms of tourism and to identify the missing or positive aspects in the light of the findings obtained, it is thought that the Kula-Salihli Geopark will be promoted in terms of recreational tourism and contribute to other studies in this sense with this qualitative study, which will be prepared in order to learn, keep the geopark culture alive, develop and examine the issues on how to be better to bring it into tourism potential by containing all kinds of sports, artistic and cultural activities that public institutions that may be a stakeholders can do. METHOD In this research; As a basic understanding, a criterion sample was used to cover individuals or situations with qualifications that are suitable for the nature of the research and determined in connection with the subject of the research. The working group, on the other hand, was limited to the responsible managers and technical committee in the field of Kula Salihli Global Geopark. In the field of geopark, the interview method, one of the preferred qualitative research methods, was used in terms of observation and content analysis as well as against restrictions. The interviews conducted in the research were carried out face to face. There are questions about personal information (age, gender, marital status, etc.) and semi-structured interview questions prepared by the researcher as a data collection tool. RESULTS and CONCLUSION In the research, the services offered to the participants as a Geopark in terms of recreational tourism, the contributions of the Geopark to the social and cultural development of the local people in terms of tourism recreation, the accessibility of Kula- Salihli Geopark to sports and recreational activities and the important features that stand out in terms of recreational tourism were evaluated. In the findings, situations such as the construction of geopark walking areas, information studies in schools, museum revisions, and the realization of social awareness projects where women are prioritized have emerged. As a result, it has been concluded that the culture of recreation has not yet been fully established in the people of the region, that the union of municipalities, universities, public and private sector cooperations are not sufficient and a delegation has not been formed on a wider level, collaborations with federations and promotional trainings on behalf of sports activities are not inclusive, national and international projects are not sufficiently produced and developed in the name of social awareness.