Agrotourism applications in European Union countries and Turkey's growth potential: The case of Yeşilköy

Agrotourism has a growing importance and increasing popularity in diversification of economic activities in rural areas and increasing incomes in European Union countries. Agrotourism, by combining agriculture and tourism, offers new sources of income for farmers. On the other hand, agrotourism helps to protect agricultural lands, agricultural culture, and traditions. Agrotourism is considered to be a potential alternative for continuation of development in the rural areas.Agrotourism is a developing sector in many rural areas in the European Union and is a type of vacation offered in agricultural farms. The visitors help farm activities during their visits. The policy of the European Union focuses on enhancing the quality of life in rural areas and promoting diversification of economic activities with agrotourism. It is also seen as a useful system for sustainable development of rural areas. It provides a balance between environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainable development. Therefore, there is particularly strong government support for agrotourism in the European Union countries. Consequently, the European Union has incentives for agrotourism to create an additional income for producers.Although Turkey has a great potential for agrotourism, agrotourism activities has started to improve recently. The objective of this research is to examine Turkey?s agrotourism potential taking Yeşilköy as the case. Also, willingness of producers living in Yeşilköy and the feasibility of agrotourism in Yeşilköy has been analyzed within European Union applications framework and some proposals have been given.Key Words: Agrotourism, Sustainable Tourism and Rural Development, Diversification of Economic Activities in Rural Areas.