Abstract:

The tourism habits of the societies bring along many environmental problem. In the face of this situation, the concept of ecotourism comes to the fore with the decreasing natural resources and increasing environmental awareness. Ecotourism, implemented in a planned way, prevents the deterioration of the natural structure and environmental pollution. In addition, ecotourism provides the social, cultural and economic development of the region and local people. The aim of this study is to determine the ecotourism potential of Zonguldak which has the Turkey's richest mineral coal deposits and a deep rooted history. Zonguldak Tourism Master Plan and Zonguldak Tourism Development Projects, written by the Zonguldak Governorship and the relevant ministry, are some of the important steps taken in terms of the development of ecotourism in the province. In this study, firstly the literature information was examined and the concept of ecotourism was explained. In the second stage of the study, the ecotourism assets in Zonguldak province were determined and the ecotourism potential of the province was revealed. Finally, a SWOT analysis was created by determining the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the province in terms of ecotourism. As a result of the elimination of weaknesses determined in the SWOT analysis and the correct use of the opportunities, it is concluded that ecotourism is applicable in Zonguldak. When the studies were analyzed, there was no research on the development of ecotourism in Zonguldak in the literature, and it was planned to eliminate this deficiency with this study.

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