Abstract
The aim of this study is to reveal the resource values that the rural areas host, and with a very disciplined approach, to discuss opportunities to benefit from those values in terms of ecotourism practices specific to Papart Valley. As a first step in this study, we took an inventory of natural and cultural assets of Papart Valley in Eastern Black Sea Region, Artvin province. Then, a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis was conducted with the participation of all stakeholders and the current situation was analyzed in terms of ecotourism practices. In light of SWOT results, along with observed natural resource assets in the region, the traditional wooden houses were seen to have potential in terms of ecotourism and it was detected that there were a large number of wooden homes and home plans suitable for both the settlement of the local people and accommodation of guests. On the other hand, it was determined that there was a lack of information for sufficient protection and care of wooden houses, and despite their potential, there was a lack of regulations and positive attitudes towards accomodation businesses in traditional wooden houses. In order to eliminate these deficiencies, proposals for the protection of traditional building stock were developed, by first determining the causes of material degradation in the wooden houses. Also, to emphasize the worth and importance of these structures, dendrochronology studies were conducted in order to determine the antiquity of the structures and potentially to make them more attractive for eco-tourism.
Highlights
Ecotourism, as a sustainable form of tourism, is experiencing a trend of rapid growth in the tourism industry [1,2,3,4,5]
Ecotourism is expressed as a sustainable tourism format where natural and cultural assets are conserved; where environmental impact is minimized, which proposes the participation of stakeholders; where the local culture is respected; and where the locals are provided with socio-economic benefits, which features educational characteristics in terms of environment and culture [6,7,8,9]
The natural resource values determined for Papart Valley show that the region has significant potential for ecotourism (Table 1)
Summary
Ecotourism, as a sustainable form of tourism, is experiencing a trend of rapid growth in the tourism industry [1,2,3,4,5]. Rural areas that contain a combination of natural and cultural resource assets are often preferred for the ecotourism practices These areas attract great attention as ecotourism destinations and are visited by ecotourists [10,11]. In this context, identifying, maintaining and sustaining the specific values (special characteristics) in rural areas are of importance in terms of the continuity of ecotourism activities. Traditional architecture, with its symbolic value and rich artistic embellishments, is one of the measures of the quality of the craftsmanship that exists within a society [12] In this sense, locals and artisans in the region have built houses that are highly compatible with the difficult geographical conditions, as well as wooden architectures by elaborating them with their own skills and knowledge. Fully created by local resources, from building materials to the work force, this original texture creates an ecologically important value [13]
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