**Local Residents' Perceptions of and Attitudes Toward Sustainable Tourism Planning and Management in Amasra (Turkey)**

Bülent Cengiz

*Bartn University, Faculty of Forestry, Department of Landscape Architecture Turkey* 

#### **1. Introduction**

176 Landscape Planning

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Tourism has a prominent role in international economy, and especially for many developing countries, is a major source of income. This economic prominence has led to an increasing competition among destinations (United Nations World Tourism Organization, 2012). Diversification of tourism activities and the quality of local environment play a key role in this competition as tourists seek unique, aesthetically pleasant and culturally attractive places (United Nations Environment Programme, 2009).

For instance, coastal historical settlements have a significant tourism potential as they offer not only cultural and historical values, but also natural landscape through the merger of sea and shore, the prime elements of coastal tourism which is arguably the dominant form of tourism worldwide (Yazgan and Kapuci, 2007; Kelkit et al. 2010). Tourism activities in coastal areas have direct and indirect effects on the local and national economy and the quality of environment (Mason and Cheyne, 2000; Harrill and Potts 2003; Ernoul, 2009). The effects of tourism development vary to a great extent as it has the potential for both positive and negative outcomes, especially at the local level (Lankford and Howard, 1994; Lee et al. 2007). Lack of tourism planning and management causes loss of biodiversity and pressures on natural resources (Puczkó and Rátz, 2000; Israeli et al. 2002; Harrill and Potts, 2003; Welford and Ytterhus, 2004; Ernoul, 2009), air, water and soil pollution, degradation of natural and cultural environment, visual pollution, decline in the quality of life and public health, as well as degeneration of the socio-cultural structure.

The goals of sustainable tourism development are related to the ecological aspects (environmental quality), economic aspects (feasibility), social characteristics of the locality (acceptance by residents), and lastly, to tourist satisfaction (Dymond, 1997; Puczkó and Rátz, 2000). Sustainable tourism enables tourism development that is compatible with the carrying capacity of the ecosystem. It creates recreational opportunities for local residents and visitors alike, and is effective in the protection of historical and archaeological sites (Sertkaya, 2001).

The multifaceted nature of sustainable tourism development requires tourism policy to integrate strategies for sustainable development and poverty reduction and measures

Local Residents' Perceptions of and Attitudes

Yazgan et al. 2005; Anonymous, 2005; Anonymous, 2007).

villages is more intense than the rest of the villages (Anonymous, 2012b).

area) and national point of attraction with its tourism potential.

obtained were analyzed to give some suggestions.

**2.2 Method** 

**2.2.1 SWOT analysis** 

Toward Sustainable Tourism Planning and Management in Amasra (Turkey) 179

major part of the coastal flora: *Arbutus unedo* L. (Strawberry Tree), *Cistus creticus* L. (Pink Rockrose), *Cistus salvifolius* L. (White Rockrose), *Erica arborea* L. (Tree Health), *Juniperus oxycedrus* (Prickly Juniper), *Laurus nobilis* L. (Bay Laurel), *Myrtus communis* L. (Myrtle), *Phillyrea latifolia* L. (Phillyrea), *Rosa canina* L. (Dog rose) and *Spartium junceum* L. (Weaver's Broom). There are also shrub species that occur naturally in forests such as *Cornus mas* L. (European Cornel), *Cornus sanguinea* L. (Common Dogwood), *Cotinus coggygria* Scop. (Eurasian Smoketree), *Crataegus monogyna* Jacg. subsp. *monogyna* (Common Hawthorn), *Corylus avellana* L. (Common Hazel), *Laurocerasus officinalis* Roem. (Cherry Laurel), *Ligustrum vulgare* L. (Common privet) and *Rhododendron ponticum* L. (Common Rhododendron).

Amasra, originally called Sesamos, has a history of 3000 years. Amasra is an important historical town that has been able to preserve the architectural properties of the historical periods and the civilizations it hosted. It is as well an important harbor town that preserves the natural and cultural landscape of many civilizations (Sakaoğlu, 1999; Sertkaya, 2001;

According to the population census of 2010, the total population of Amasra is 16.122, with the town population of 6.450 and village population of 9.784 (Anonymous, 2012a). During summer months, the population of the town is almost 40.000 due to tourists. Varying between summer and winter months due to tourism activities, population density of Amasra is 44 people per square kilometer. Population density of the central and coastal

The economy of Amasra is mostly based on coal production and tourism, whereas the economy of the inland villages on agriculture and animal husbandry. The coastal ones, in addition to agriculture and animal husbandry, are engaged in tourism (Aşçoğlu, 2001).

The growth of tourism in Amasra started in the period 1940-1960. In this period, the natural and cultural values of Amasra and its surroundings were discovered by local and foreign visitors. The tourism development period of 1960-1965 was marked with the increase in the number of visitors, and thus, tourism was considered a new source of income. It is also in this period that irregular urban development took place that negatively affected the development of tourism. After 1965, Amasra faced a decline in tourism activities (Sakaoğlu, 1999). Nowadays, Amasra is one of the important regional (the Western Black Sea coastal

This study was conducted with a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT) analysis, questionnaires, field work and the review of the relevant literature. The data

The SWOT analysis was conducted to determine the tourism planning and management strategies regarding the natural and cultural landscape values (Kelkit et al. 2005; Ozturk Kurtaslan and Demirel, 2011; Kiper et. al. 2011). The data used in the SWOT analysis were obtained through interviews with the mayor, district governor, employees of public institutions and inhabitants, previous studies conducted in the region or in similar areas, the relevant literature and professional experience, field surveys and in site observations.

related to climate change and biodiversity. Furthermore, to accomplish such multidimensional goals, tourism strategy should engage national, regional and local administrations alike. With respect to the sustainability of tourism benefits at the local level, an integrated approach to management is needed to protect natural resources from diverse tourism pressures (United Nations Environment Programme, 2009).

Participation of local people is important in sustainable tourism planning. In this respect, residents' expectations of tourism, perspectives on tourism and perceptions of the natural and cultural values play an important role in the development of sustainable tourism planning and management strategies.

Ernoul (2009) reports that the local residents' perceptions of tourism development are largely neglected. Several studies focus on special events in order to comprehend the perceptions of the local population regarding tourism (e.g. Soutar and McLeod, 1993; Jackson, 2008). The results of these studies suggest that tourism has a positive impact on the residents' quality of life. According to Lee et al. (2007), research on local populations' perceptions of tourism development is useful for developing measures to overcome problems due to hostility between visitors and local populations (Sethna, 1980) and for making plans to gain resident support for further tourism development.

This study measured the local residents' perception of the necessity of sustainability of the natural, cultural and historical values that constitute the resource of tourism activities in the city of Amasra in order to determine the attitudes toward and participation in tourism development of local residents. With a rational tourism planning approach, it concludes with some proposals for providing opportunities of year-long tourism activities, especially considering its coastal location, gastronomy, local handicrafts and pensions and for contributing to regional economy in terms of sustainable tourism development.
