Public Policy and Sustainable Alternative Tourism

Abstract

The concept of sustainability clearly includes people, environment, and economic systems. Since the early 1990s, the term ‘sustainable tourism’ has become more commonly used. Recognizing the negative impacts of tourism, the public sector has taken a series of measures in an attempt to manage tourism through visitor management techniques. The general opinion appears to be that sustainable tourism requires interventions and planning. Although tourism has been considered as an important activity for the well-being of the economies, and state regulations on tourism have a considerable history in Turkey, it was not until the 8th Five-Year Development Plan (2001–2005) that the concept of sustainable tourism was mentioned. Until then, almost all coasts, forests, natural attractions, and high plateaus had been announced as tourism areas. Such an initiative without determining the ecological and biological characteristics of the ecosystems and without analyzing the risks and carrying capacities has resulted in the consumption of tourism resources. In this regard, a productive and rational use of the natural resources and protection of ecologically and biologically sensitive areas require a comprehensive determination of tourism policies and plans. The aim of the chapter is to analyze state policies on sustainable and alternative tourism and discuss future plans and projects of the government in Turkey. Further, the chapter also aims to offer recommendations for policy makers toward better management of the policies regarding sustainable alternative tourism.