The impacts of tourism on local economic development and its sustainability:the case of Van

THE IMPACTS OF TOURISM ON LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTAND ITS SUSTAINABILITY: THE CASE OF VAN(M.Sc. Thesis)Aysu UĞURLARGAZI UNIVERSITYINSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYSeptember 2006ABSTRACTThe multiplier effect of tourism activities creates a catalyser effect for thegrowth of income and employment of other local economic activities likeagriculture and industry. For this reason, tourism is a crucial development toolthat provides political, economic and social development in manycountries/regions/localities. A sustainable economic benefit from tourismdepends on its integration with social and environmental aims. Sustainabletourism development considers an integrated resource management byproviding cultural integrity, environmental process, biological livability andbasic living conditions. With this aim, World Tourism Organization, havedecided 140 indicators including environmental, social and economicdimensions for measuring the effects of tourism which provide the sustainabilityand control of tourism. In this thesis, considering the model of World TourismOrganization, tourism is analysed by main economic, social and environmentalindicators and its basic problems and impacts are determined by thinking oftourism as a crucial development tool in Van case. Due to the results of thethesis, for increasing the contribution of tourism to the local economy, it isnecessary to increase the demand and attractiveness of potentials according tothe settlements and resources. This is possible by the organization of varioustourism actiivities from accomodation to transportation, marketing, securityand infrastructure services provided by public and private sector. In long term,for providing the economic stability of tourism, it is necessary to monitor theenvironmental, social and economic indicators and their effects periodically.Thus, resources can be managed effectively due to the sustainability principles.Science Code : 805Key Words : Sustainability, the local economic impact of tourism, theindicators of sustainable tourismPage Number : 238Adviser : Prof. Dr. Orhan KUNTAY