Evaluation of rural tourism potential of Gömeç district (Balikesir)

Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world. According to UN data, 1.5 billion people travel and participate in tourism activities annually. Especially the problems brought by summer tourism and other tourism activities carried out in cities have made alternative tourism Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world. According to UN data, 1.5 billion people travel and participate in tourism activities annually. Especially the problems brought by summer tourism and other tourism activities carried out in cities have made alternative tourism activities become important in recent years. In this thesis study, the concept of rural tourism is explained conceptually and theoretically within the framework of "sustainability". The current situation of Gömeç regarding rural tourism is revealed and solution suggestions are presented to increase the rural tourism potential. As a result of this study, a SWOT analysis was conducted and Gömeç's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats were revealed. Gömeç district has areas suitable for rural tourism activities due to its location. As a result of the field studies, it was determined that the rural tourism potential of Karaağaç, Ulubeyler, Hacıhüseyinler, Kumgedik and Kobaşlar neighborhoods is relatively high. The presence of areas such as Atatürk Rocks, Koca Çınar, İnkaya, Deliktaş and Kozak Plateau in these neighborhoods is important in terms of tourism potential. It has been observed that the tourism potential in Dursunlu, Hacıosman, Kuyualanı and Hacıoğlu rural neighborhoods is relatively lower compared to other rural neighborhoods. KEYWORDS: Sustainable Rural Tourism, Alternative Tourism, Rural Development, Gömeç, Tourism Potential