Lavander argiculture-ecoturism relation in the context of rural development: Case of Isparta-Kuyucak Village

Technological, economic and social changes are the most important factors affecting travels. People prefer silent and nature-oriented activities in order to avoid monotony and meet their needs for change. For this reason, tourism types which are made in rural areas become attractive. Rural tourism is one of the basic tools of rural development and its success in rural development is very important. In addition, rural tourism is possible with rural tourism by using the natural and socio-cultural values of the region for tourism purposes without rural population leaving the agriculture and raising their welfare levels. The aim of this study to determine lavender farming-oriented ecotourism activities and to develop suggestions in terms of sustainable agriculture and ecotourism potential through examining the physical and socio-cultural landscape characteristics of Kuyucak Village of Keçiborlu District of Isparta Province. With the "Future is in Tourism" project, which was carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Anadolu Efes, it constituted the starting point of the research for agricultural tourism studies with the title of "Lavender Scented Village" in 2015. This study; It is thought that it will contribute to the work to be done for the planners and managers who work or will do research for the research area and similar fields, the results obtained from the study will be useful for the development of Kuyucak Village and will set an example for similar areas. This study investigating the relationship between lavender agriculture and ecotourism within the scope of sustainable agriculture and rural development; The literature research consists of four stages: data collection, findings, results and recommendations regarding the field and the subject. Literature research contributed to the structural framework and theoretical foundations of the study. In collecting data, survey, on-site observation and deep interview methods were used for local people and local tourists. In this context, a survey was conducted with 167 people, local tourists and 384 people, with the help of sampling, and the results were analyzed using the SPSS 25 Program. The created local public survey form was implemented between January 16, 2019 and January 30, 2019. The local tourist survey form (2018 and 2019) was carried out in the period when the lavender plant blooms (late June-mid-July), according to the 2018 tourist data. The deep interview with the village headman was held in April 2018. ArcMap 10.5, AutoCAD 2017 and Photoshop CS6 programs were used to evaluate the physical and socio-cultural characteristics of the field. As a result, strategies and objectives were determined to ensure the sustainability of lavender agriculture in the research area, and results and suggestions were made regarding rural development, sustainable agriculture and sustainable tourism. ; It is believed to form a framework for agricultural oriented ecotourism planning studies; agricultural tourism activities carried out in Kuyucak Village contributed to the sustainability and development of rural areas in the region, and the information obtained as a result of the study, to sustainable agriculture and rural development studies.