Tourism in protected areas in the context of sustainable tourism: The case of Yence Forests

The aim of this study is to examine the emerging tourism movements in the Yenice Forests, which contain various protected areas from a sustainability perspective and to determine the extent to which they meet ecotourism principles. In the study, a mixed method approach was adopted and a three-stage data collection process including systamatic observation, questionnaire and semi-structured interviews was conducted. The results obtained from the content analysis revealed that the tourism activities in the Yenice Forests are nature based and that the activities performed by the tourists in the region are educational, but the tourism infrastructure in the region is not sufficient. Based on the survey findings, it was determined that tourism activities in the Yenice Forests partially meet the basic dimensions of ecotourism, the Yenice Forests have a potential on ecotourism as a model in Turkey, but the tourism planning process should be completed with a more comprhensive and participatory approach including control, monitoring and evaluation activities; and should be implemented. The importance of this research, given the limited research on the phenomenon of tourism in protected areas in Turkey, is to present the information that can be taken to prevent possible damages to the nature of tourism development in Yenice Forests. In addition, as a result of findings of research are expected to contribute to sustainable tourism development efforts in other protected areas in Turkey. Keywords: Protected Areas, Sustainable Tourism, Yenice Forests, Ecotourism Dimensions