Abstract
The present research was carried out in the sample of Salda Lake in Turkey in order to determine the perception of local residents about cultural, economic and environmental effects of ecotourism and to identify the effect of these variables on their support for tourism development in the region. In the research, it was concluded that cultural, economic and environmental effects of ecotourism act as an antecedent of the support by local people residing around Salda Lake on tourism development in the region. In addition, the local people’s length of residence in the region creates a moderating effect in the relationship between cultural, economic and environmental effects of tourism and the residents’ support for tourism development. The research findings provide suggestions to tourism planners, destination management organizations (DMO) and academicians studying in the context of tourism literature.
Highlights
Tourism is one of the largest sectors at national and global scale
As an answer to the question of how to foster economic growth without causing any damage to the environment, it has been revealed in previous studies that involvement of local residents into ecotourism industry is of great importance for successful tourism development and that their active participation into the process brings along more visible positive contributions to ecotourism (Ross & Wall 1999; Scheyvens 1999; Pretty & Ward 2001; Stronza 2007; Heyneman 2019)
The present research was carried out in the sample of Salda Lake in Turkey in order to determine the perception of local residents about cultural, economic and environmental effects of ecotourism and to identify the effect of these variables on their support for tourism development in the region
Summary
Tourism is one of the largest sectors at national and global scale. So much so that the tourism industry supports one in 10 jobs (319 million) worldwide and generates 10.4% of global GDP. According to Ross & Wall (1999), the main functions of ecotourism are the protection of natural areas, the provision of high-quality tourism experiences and the stimulation of local economies through providing resources for conservation, environmental education and local empowerment. As an answer to the question of how to foster economic growth without causing any damage to the environment, it has been revealed in previous studies that involvement of local residents into ecotourism industry is of great importance for successful tourism development and that their active participation into the process brings along more visible positive contributions to ecotourism (Ross & Wall 1999; Scheyvens 1999; Pretty & Ward 2001; Stronza 2007; Heyneman 2019). In the light of the above-mentioned resources, the present study was conducted with the purpose of inquiring about the importance of ecotourism in Turkey and of identifying the attitude of local residents towards ecotourism development in Salda Lake, which is one of the most important antecedents of tourism development in the region
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