Author(s): Selahattin ÇELİK
Tourism, known as one of the important keys for development, wealth and prosperity, simply refers to an activity in which people travel for vocational and relaxation purposes, without any expectation to make a profit and does not require permanent settlements. Tourism, also known as smokeless industry, is among the most developing industries that contribute to economy in today’s world. Ecotourism, also widely known as ‘nature tourism’, has taken an increasing attention, as a developing branch of tourism, particularly in developed countries. The main point in Nature Tourism is to visit natural environments, historical and cultural places with respect to their nature and ecology, and to get away from stressful urban life and rest in places that have been preserved intact. This study aims to evaluate the ecotourism potentials, as an alternative tourism activity, of Kilis province, which has limited resources due to being located at the Syrian border. The study employs a descriptive method. A variety of maps, satellite images and photographs have been used and fieldtrips have been carried out in order to analyse the ecotourism potentials. Multiple maps have been created by using GIS (Geographical Information System), includes slope index map, digital evaluation model map and relief map. In this research, a SWOT analysis has also been applied in order to demonstrate the weak and strong points in the evaluation of the potentials. K
The Journal of International Social Research received 8982 citations as per Google Scholar report
