Development of touristic destinations with responsible tourism approach: Foça case

Tourism is a multidimensional and dynamic process affecting economic, social, cultural and environmental factors based on the interaction between tourist and host. Responsible tourism approach, which aims to reduce the negative economic, environmental and social impacts of tourism and to benefit the local people, includes the awareness of the responsibilities of all the stakeholders involved in the destination and their implementations within the framework of these responsibilities. The main objective of this study is to examine the role of responsible tourism approach which aims to minimize the negative effects of tourism on destinations, to generate economic benefits for local people, to involve local people in decision-making process, to protect natural resources and cultural heritage, to establish meaningful connections between tourists and local people, to provide access to disadvantaged groups and to be culturally sensitive on development of touristic destinations. In this study firstly literature review was done. After the first two parts of the study which were formed in the light of the information contained from domestic and foreign literature, the data obtained through the interview and focus group interviews were evaluated. The relationship between responsible tourism and destination development has been investigated in depth within the scope of responsible tourism dimensions; environmental responsibility, economic responsibility and socio-cultural responsibility. In the last part of the study, roles of destination stakeholders and the process of destination development which is driven by responsible tourism approach has been put forward in order to achieve destination development in light of the findings obtained within the scope of the research.