With respect to sustaiable tourism ecotoursim and a model suggesttion for the enveronment of Edremit

Due to lately improving education levels and environmental awareness of people, especially travels to natural and cultural fragile areas have been growing rapidly. The sustainable tourism approach, arising from the reaction to the negative environmental impacts of mass tourism which should be passed on the future generations without damaging natural, cultural and other resources, is of great importance. With respect to sustainable tourism, ecotourism is the most suitable form of tourism for the fragile areas. Ecotourism, which is a sustainable form of nature-based tourism, aims not only to conserve the natural resources but also to improve them. Every effort is being made to reach a worldwide agreement on the principles and stan darts of ecotourism and to diffuse them. Recognising its global importance, the United Nations declared the year 2002 as " The International Year of Ecotourism ". But both in Turkey and Europe there aren't many tourism products where ecotourism is concerned. Ecotourism is considered as a part of current tourism products in these destinations. The aim of this thesis is to assess the ecotourism with respect to Turkey and to establish an ecotourism development model for the environs of Edremit. ' In this thesis, the ecotourism SWOT analysis of the environs of Edremit has been done and using survey- technique the profile of the tourists engaging in nature- based tourism activities has been determined. Afterward, an ecotourism development model is established and briefly described. In the conclusion of the study, suggestions, to the national and local government, tourism sector, non- governmental organizations and the other groups involved, have been made how to develop ecotourism strategies in the area. VI