Tourism policy and planning in turkey

Tourism sector have been developing rapidly due to the changes in the transportation, technology, economical and social fields in the world as of second half of the 20th century. As a result of the fatigue because of their busy schedule, and due to the increase in their leave periods and income levels, people have been traveling to different places with the purpose of relaxation from where they have been living continously. In addition to these travels in respect to relaxation with today's ever-changing demands, tourism has surpassed the understanding of vacation which consists of sea-sand-sun and it has reached to a new extent where there are various alternatives such as mountain, golf, culture, health, belief tourisms depending on their purposes. It has been a sector which is priontized by developing countries such as Turkey, due to numerous reasons such as it's characteristics of being a leading sector which reinvigorates the economy, and creates different taxation fields, constitutues positive contribution to the balance of payables by allowing inflow of foreign currency, decreases the inter-regional differences in respect to development and income and it's impact on increasing the employment levels. Governments determine their tourism goals in accordance with their visions in order for tourism to be sustainable, and to provide the maximum level of benefit in the economical, social and cultural areas and to protect the historical assets from being damaged. These goals may only be reached by planning an effective tourism policy.