A model proposal for determining investment areas for adventure tourism

This study aims to identify and map investment areas for adventure tourism in Kastamonu province using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Geographic Information System (GIS). In line with this objective, the districts of Daday, Azdavay, Cide, and Pınarbaşı, which have high adventure tourism potential in Kastamonu province, were identified based on expert opinions and literature reviews, and investment areas in the relevant fields were mapped. A qualitative research method was used in the study, and purposive sampling was preferred among non-probability sampling methods. In addition to questionnaires and interview forms administered to experts, documents containing mapping data of the region were used as data collection tools. Data was collected between October 1, 2023, and May 31, 2024. Based on the opinions of experts, five criteria were identified as important in determining investment areas suitable for adventure tourism: technical infrastructure suitability, cost, geological/geophysical hazards, topography, and proximity to roads. As a result of GISweighted overlapping analyses performed by entering the criteria determined by AHP into the ESRI ArcGIS program, 3 investment areas with sizes ranging from 17,883 m² to 118,671 m² were determined in Daday district, 3 investment areas with sizes ranging from 4,765 m² to 21,025 m² in Azdavay district, 3 investment areas with sizes ranging from 4,765 m² to 8,179 m² in Cide district, and 3 investment areas with sizes ranging from 4,765 m² to 32,951 m² in Pınarbaşı district. Investment suggestions for tourism facilities such as camping areas, caravan parks, hotels, recreation areas, motels and aberge were made for the relevant areas. Various suggestions that can be applied both theoretically and practically to the local stakeholders, tourism sector participants, the public and local people in Kastamonu were presented for the studies to be carried out later in the research. KEYWORDS: Adventure Tourism, Tourism Facility Investment Areas, Analytical Hierarchy Process, Geographic Information System October 2025, 182 Page