Converting ancient trade routes in scope of the alternative tourism activities to the touristic values: A suggestion intending to the royal road and the highland phyrigia region

Social, cultural and technological developments in the world have changed tourism and tourist demands for last decades. Since tradational features of mass tourism could not fulfill tourist expectations and demands, tourists have tent to alternative tourism and its types. The Highland Phyrigia Region, surrounded by Ankara, Eskişehir, Afyonkarahisar and Kütahya, contains one of the most important ancient trade routes, The Royal Road, which is thought to be a potential area to be managed with alternative tourism types. On this paper first, alternative tourism and its types have been viewed, then scope, features and situation of ancient trade routes are researched. In additionally, physical, geological, geographical, cultural and touristic characteristics of The Highland Phyrigia Region have been examinated. In this study, creating some suggestions are aimed that potential charming factors of Highland Phyrigia Region and The Royal Road are converted to touristic value. In the method and findings chapters, data about The Highland Phyrigia Region and The Royal Road are collected with observation and interview techniques of the qualitative research method in the method and findings chapters. During data collecting, stakeholders were determined with The Stakeholders Theory and collected data were analyzed with The Strategic Planning Theory. Analysis was regulated with The S.W.O.T. Analysis and The Situation Analysis. According to the result of assessment, The Highland Phrigian Region and The Royal Road lacks infrustructer, facility and inventory. Thus, regions have not been converted to tourism destinations. In conclusion chapter, model suggestion has been offered so that The Highland Phrigia Region and The Royal Road can be turned a the touristic value.