Evaluation of Ecotourism Potential of Uzundere District and Its Environs

Uzundere with is naturel beauties, culturel, historical and recreational facilities is one of the most important environs of Northeastern Anatolian Region which has the potential for tourism. Having natural beauties and cultural heritage, Uzundere have on alternative tourism potential for the native and foreign tourists. In this study, it is aimed to make valuable contribution to the environs in the way of preserving natural and cultural sources and to make it be a part of tourism sector with the help of ecotourism planning in order to preserve these areas and to classify ecotourism sources. In this study, SWOT Analysis in used as a method and we try to define the strong and weak aspects of environs with the oppurtunities and threats in terms of ecotourism. The present and potential tourism activities are evaluated, classified and mapped with the help of observations and researches done in the environs. Active tourism activities are defined as (1) Faith Tourism Activities, (2) Activities focused one Tortum Waterfull and The Ruins (Seven Lakes), (3) Picnic Activities, (4)Festivities. Potential tourism activities are assessed as (1) Botanical Tourism, (2) Bird Watching, (3) Butterfly Watching, (4) Wild Life Watching, (5) Trekking, (6) Sightseeing, (7) Activities focused one Tortum Lake. As result of the research, we reach conclusion that the significant values which form the source of ecotourism in terms of geographical, ecological and sociocultural in the environs and the environs may be significant ecotourism center with its civil society, university, local authorities and public investment