Ecovillages as a destination and a study for determination of consumer approaches of ecovillages

Examined trends in world travel is attracted the attention that different destinations are gaining importance. Within these destinations ecovillages are also included. Ecovillages are models of sustainable settlements in cultural, ecological and economic context. Looking at applications in Turkey, it is determined that there is no ecovillage in a scientific sense. However, it is attracted the attention that, the ecovillage movement is carried out through the ecological farms. As a result of this point, the aim of this research is ecovillages. In this study, firstly theoretical forecasts such as ecotourism, ecovillages and features that ecovillages as a tourist destinations should include, were presented. Then a field study was conducted to identify consumer approaches to ecovillages. The research population are staying consumers in ten ecological farms which registered Global Ecovillages Network (GEN) in the Aegean region of Turkey. The research data were collected through questionnaire method and questionnaire was applied to 420 domestic and foreign consumers. According to the results obtained; ecovillages is requested by people between the ages of 35-54, more educated and with an average annual income over 30.000 TL. ?Being a sustainable life style? and ?Having an authentic experience in a rural area? ideas are identified as the most important elements which is effective for consumers' demand for ecovillages. Transportation to the ecovillage and the elements such as accommodation, supporting services and attractions that the consumer prefer to see in the village are determined and some suggestions about ecovillages are made.Key WordsSustainable Tourism, Ecotourism, Ecovillage, Sustainable Living, Rural Development, Consumer Expectations.