Evaluation of natural and cultural characteristics of Ayaş district of Ankara in terms of rural tourism

Although rural and semi-rural areas are disadvantaged in terms of living conditions compared to urban areas, they are important in terms of their natural-cultural resource values and the potentials they hold. Changing social and economic conditions have also changed the perception of rural area and expectations of the urban population. Today, rural areas and semi-rural areas close to the city have become attractive tourism and recreation areas for the urban population. In this research, natural and cultural landscape inventory related to Ayaş district of Ankara province was created. It is aimed to develop the targets related to rural tourism which has significant effects on the development of Ayaş. The method of study consists of four stages. The first stage is literature research and data collection. In the second stage, which natural and cultural data related to Ayaş were converted into database, maps were digitized and a database was created for the study area. In order to collect data about the field and to determine the opinions and expectations on the subject, the survey method was used. Population projection was made in order to predict the future population of Ayaş using population data from 1965 to 2018. In the third stage of the study, SWOT analysis was carried out for the development of rural tourism. In the final stage, targets and actions for rural tourism were determined and proposals were made to preserve Ayaş's natural and cultural potentials and to improve them with their use in the tourism sector. Sub-targets set in line with 3 basic objectives: ecological, economic and socio-cultural; conservation, management and promotion of natural resources; increasing diversity and efficiency in production, promoting market-oriented production, developing ecotourism; protection of cultural resources, ensuring public participation in the works, increasing the livelihoods, raising the satisfaction of life. Actions that are thought to contribute to the realization of sub-targets are defined together with expected realization times. Consequently, the targets set are to be realized in line with the planned actions; It will contribute to the preservation of the natural and cultural values of Ayaş, the development of rural tourism in Ayaş and the rural development efforts.