The effects of rural tourism on the social welfare of local people: The case of Isparta Kuyucak

Rural tourism is of great importance in terms of increasing non-agricultural employment in rural areas, diversifying income sources and encouraging entrepreneurs, reducing interregional social and cultural imbalances, supporting women's participation in economic life, stopping or minimizing migration and ensuring rural development. Rural tourism also plays a leading role to increase social welfare in rural areas. The aim of this research is to measure the effects of rural tourism on the social welfare of the local people in Kuyucak Village of Keçiborlu District of Isparta, which develops especially with lavender agriculture. The case study, which is one of the qualitative research designs, was used within the scope of the research. The semi-structured interview technique was used as data collection method. The interview questions were prepared by using the Global Social Welfare Index, and the final version was arranged by consulting with expert academicians. Face-to-face interviews with the participants were recorded with a voice recorder and systematically analyzed with the MAXQDA qualitative data analysis program. As a result of the analysis, it has been determined that the rural tourism activities developed in the region have significantly increased the social welfare level of the people living in Kuyucak Village in economic and environmental terms. Suggestions regarding the research findings are presented.