Substainability of tourism and recreation activities at national parks: an aplicition towards national parks in Turkey

ABSRACT Economical activities and their results togather with the development of tourism and recreation activities have directed many countries to form national parks and natural areas and to get economic benefits from nature-based tourism and outdoor recreation. National parks are visited by millions of people each year. If these visitations are not planned efficiently, natural environment of national parks are impacted adversely. Increasing treats to national parks force national park authorities to get action to minimize the negative impacts of tourism and recreation activities and to success sustainable development of parks. The purpose of this thesis is to identify perceived tourism and recreation activities' negative impacts on Turkish national parks and to offer suggestions to Turkish national park managers and authorities in decision making process related to national parks. By reaching national park managers in Turkey, %100 return rate was achieved. The results of the survey showed that Turkish national parks have faced many problems caused by tourism and recreation activities. VI