Future of rural life: Agrotourism (Sakarya / Serdivan type)

The meaning and attractiveness of rural spaces by directing tourism to the countryside enabled the development of agrotourism, which is an alternative tourism type by directing tourism to the countryside. Agriculture, which is one of the important activities of the future strategically is important for rural life and economies. Problems in agricultural processes cause rural people to encounter problems. Agricultural input costs, market problems and growth in urban areas cause negative effects. Negative effects cause rural people away from agricultural production activities and the use of agricultural lands for non-agricultural purposes. Agro-tourism, which is formed by the integration of agriculture and tourism serves those who want to experience activities in rural areas. Agrotourism, which creates an opportunity for activity, provides income for the local people within the framework of these activities. Agrotourism, which supports local people, is effective in preventing the pressure on agriculture and agricultural lands. The economic income to be obtained from tourism will ensure the development of the local people and people's ownership and sustainable use of agricultural lands. Today, when contact with nature has become a necessity, agrotourism will allow this need to be met. Agrotourism, which combines activities related to nature and natural processes in a tourism destination, will allow tourism income in addition to agricultural income. In this study, which examines the effect of agrotourism on rural development, it is emphasized that agricultural areas can be protected with the advantage of agrotourism, by including the general characteristics of agrotourism. In this thesis, mixed research methods have been adopted by using quantitative and qualitative research methods together and Sakarya province, Serdivan district has been chosen as the research area. Within the scope of the research, a research study was carried out, and during the field study, interviews were conducted with the local people using semi-structured interviews. In order to determine suitable areas for agrotourism in Serdivan, the criteria affecting agrotourism were determined and a data set was created through GIS. Compliance map was prepared by calculating the weight degrees of the criteria with AHP. It has been emphasized that agrotourism, which takes its source from the natural environment, will contribute to the protection of the natural environment. As a result, agrotourism is an important component of rural development. It is an effective economic activity in the protection of Serdivan's agricultural lands and the development of the rural people living in Serdivan.