Abstract:

Tourism, which contributes greatly to the economies of the countries, supports the development of economic, social and cultural development processes. The tourism industry creates supply values using natural, cultural and historical values as a source. The priority of the countries to development has a negative impact on the environmental resources of the countries, causing lack of ignorance or preservation of social, cultural or environmental elements. This situation reveals the concept of sustainable tourism as an alternative formation in terms of tourism stakeholders. Ecotourism, which is considered to ensure economic development by ensuring the sustainability of natural resources, is an activity that aims to be transferred to future generations by preserving the environment. However, uncontrolled eco-tourism activities also have negative effects on the environment. This study aims to evaluate literature scan and the impact of ecoturism on the environment from a critical point of view. As a method, in addition to the study of literature, the method of face-to-face conversation with the institutions, organizations and stakeholders related to ecotourism was used. In the study, the concepts of sustainability, sustainable tourism and eco-tourism are developed, and recommendations are developed in Karasu for the eco-tourism activities to be carried out without a negative impact on the environment. According to the study, the participants’ assessments have been found that ecoturism activities in Karasu have not contributed sufficiently to the economy, and that they have negative effects on environmental resources, such as other tourism varieties.

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