**4. Discussion and conclusions**

Together with the rapid economic, political, technological developments and changes in the world, significant changes occur also in tourism. Different forms of tourism as an alternative to mass tourism in Turkey started to develop in the 1990s. These forms of tourism are considered important tools for ensuring sustainable environments as they bear rural and cultural tourism characteristics could be developed in sensitive natural and cultural areas. In this respect, Amasra, an ancient port city located on a peninsula, has rural landscape features. Creating a significant demand for tourism with its natural, cultural and historical values, Amasra was investigated in this study in terms of sustainable tourism planning and management which prioritizes the integrity of ecology and the traditional structure and the participation of local residents. As such, the survey study conducted to determine the local residents' participation in tourism activities, support, expectations and attitudes toward and perceptions of natural and cultural values in terms of sustainable tourism planning and management constituted an important aspect of the present study.

#### **4.1 Tourism development**

The results of the survey indicated that the participants were not aware of some of the factors that could hinder tourism activities such as problems related to summerhouses, and environmental problems caused by road construction works and by Turkish Hard Coal Authority.

The analyses demonstrated that the historic coastal town of Amasra has a strong tourism potential. The income of the local residents who are engaged in tourism activities in Amasra is based on running pensions (guesthouses) and seafood restaurants, and handicrafts. The dissemination of pensions and increasing the quality of services is important in terms of tourism development. The other source of income, handicrafts, is based on traditional methods and know-how. The unique aspects of traditional handicrafts should be protected and promoted to international markets through branding. In this respect, efforts should be put in raising the awareness of local residents about tourism and in educational activities.

Local Residents' Perceptions of and Attitudes

**5. References** 

contribute to sustainable regional development.

http://report.tuik.gov.tr/reports.

1245-1252, 26 February, 2012.

*Ecology,* 16(4), 228-233.

Turkey. (in Turkish).

&did=39&eid=70).

Meteoroloji İl Müdürlüğü, Bartn (in Turkish).

Kültür ve Turizm Müdürlüğü Yayn. Bartn (in Turkish). Anonymous, (2012a). Turkey Statistical Institute Population Data for 2008.

Edinburg Universty Press, Vol. 10. Edinburg, UK.

*of Place Management and Development,* 1(3), 240–255.

*Sustainable Development & World Ecology,* 12(2), 141-148.

National Park. *Journal of Coastal Research,* 26(3), 562–568.

*Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment,* 9(1), 491-496.

Toward Sustainable Tourism Planning and Management in Amasra (Turkey) 197

As a result, tourism planning and management strategies considering the balance between protection and use of natural and cultural values and based on public participation would

Anonymous, (2001). Bartn-Amasra Meteoroloji İstasyonu 1991-2000 İklim Verileri,

Anonymous, (2005). Environmental Status Report Of Bartn-2004. Bartn Governorship Provincial Directorate of Environment Bartn Press, Bartn (in Turkish). Anonymous, (2007) Mitolojiden Gezginlere Bartn Kültür ve Turizm Envanteri. Bartn İl

Anonymous, (2012b). (http://www.bartin.gov.tr/modules.php?name=Tutoriaux&rop=navig

Cengiz, B., Sabaz M., Bekci, B., Cengiz, C. (2012). Design Strategies for Revitalization on The Filyos Coastline, Zonguldak, Turkey. *Fresenius Environmental Bulletin,* 21(1), 36-47. Daniel, W.W., Terrell, J.C. (1995). Business Statistics for Management and Economics,

Davis, P.H., Mill, R.R., Tan, K. (1988). Flora Of Turkey and The East Aegean Islands.

Dymond, S.J. (1997). Indicators Of Sustainable Tourism in New Zealand: A Local Government Perspective. *Journal of Sustainable Tourism,* 5(4), 279–293. Ernoul, L. (2009). Residents' Perception Of Tourist Development and The Environment: A

Harrill, R., Potts, T.D. (2003). Tourism Planning in Historic Districts: Attitudes Toward Tourism

Israeli, A., Uriely, N., Reichel, A. (2002). Attitudes Of Local Residents Vs. Residents Of Surrounding Areas Towards Tourism Development. *Anatolia,* 13(2), 145-157. Jackson, L.A. (2008). Residents' Perception Of The Impacts Of Special Event Tourism. *Journal* 

Kapuci, C. (2004) The Effect Of Historical City Structure On The Tourism Potential Case

Kelkit, A., Özel, A.E., Demirel, Ö. (2005). A study Of The Kazdagi (Mt. Ida) National Park:

Kelkit, A., Celik, S., Esbah, H. (2010). Ecotourism Potential Of Gallipoli Peninsula Historical

Kiper, T., Korkut, A., Ylmaz, E. (2011). Determination Of Rural Tourism Strategies By Rapid

Wild Plant Species in Istanbul, Turkey. *African Journal of Agricultural Research,* 7(8),

Seventh Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, USA. ISBN: 0-395-71671-3. 972 pages.

Study from Morocco. *International Journal of Sustainable Development & World* 

Development in Charleston. *Journal of the American Planning Association,* 69(3), 233-244.

Study: İznik City. Zonguldak Karaelmas University, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Landscape Architecture, M.Sc. thesis, Bartn,

An Ecological Approach To The Management Of Tourism. *International Journal of* 

Rural Asessment Technique: The Case Of Tekirdağ Province, Şarköy County.

Aşçoğlu, E. (2001). Bartn. Bartn Ticaret ve Sanayi Odas Yayn, Bartn. (in Turkish). Atc, E. (2012). Statistically Forecasting Of Some Market Variables Of Florists on Usage Of

The demand for Amasra is based mostly on its coastal location, the natural, cultural, historical and gastronomic (especially seafood restaurants) aspects. The continuity of the contributions of these aspects to tourism should be ensured with considering the balance between conservation and use. In addition, the production of local organic products, which are widespread in Amasra, should be promoted and awareness of local residents should be raised. In this respect, tourist tours should be organized to such areas of production.

This study investigated the positive and negative effects of tourism development in Amasra. On the one hand, tourism contributes to the promotion of the city, its economy and to the protection of cultural heritage. On the other hand, it has negative effects on the natural and traditional characteristics due to unplanned land development.

According to the survey results, there is a high tourist demand for Amasra during the summer months (June, July, August) due to the its location on the coast. It is necessary to diversify tourism activities to attract tourists to the city throughout the year and extend the duration of stay. In this respect, particularly cultural and nature tourism are among the types of tourism to be developed in Amasra.
