Local People's Perception of Ecotourism In Taraklı (Sakarya): An Evaluation in The Context of Socio-Demographic Variables

Gökçe Can; Elif Akpınar Külekçi

doi:10.30785/mbud.1751230

TR EN

Taraklı'da (Sakarya) Yerel Halkın Ekoturizm Algısı: Sosyo-Demografik Değişkenler Bağlamında Bir Değerlendirme

Abstract

Sakarya iline bağlı Taraklı ilçesi, 2011 yılından itibaren sakin şehir (Cittaslow) unvanı taşıyan, doğal ve kültürel zenginlikleriyle ekoturizm açısından yüksek potansiyele sahip bir bölgedir. Zengin flora ve fauna çeşitliliği, yerel ürünleri, el sanatları, tarihi dokusu ve doğal güzellikleri, ilçeyi sürdürülebilir turizm için önemli kılmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Taraklı ve çevresinde yaşayan yerel halkın ekoturizme yönelik bakış açılarını, bölgedeki mevcut ve olası ekoturizm faaliyetlerine ilişkin düşüncelerini ve beklentilerini belirlemektir. Alan araştırması ve istatistiksel analizler sonucunda, ilçenin ekoturizm açısından güçlü bir potansiyele sahip olduğu ve yerel halkın desteğiyle sürdürülebilir turizm stratejilerinin uygulanabileceği görülmüştür. Ancak altyapı eksikliklerinin giderilmesi ve halk katılımının artırılması gerekmektedir. Taraklı örneği, benzer kırsal bölgeler için model niteliği taşımaktadır.

Keywords

Taraklı (Sakarya) İlçesi, sakin şehir, ekoturizm, kırsal turizm, yerel halk

Local People's Perception of Ecotourism In Taraklı (Sakarya): An Evaluation in The Context of Socio-Demographic Variables

Abstract

Taraklı, a district of Sakarya, has been a Cittaslow member since 2011 and stands out with its cultural and natural wealth, making it a strong candidate for ecotourism development. Its rich flora and fauna, local products and handicrafts, traditional architecture, historical heritage, and natural landscapes highlight its significance for sustainable tourism planning. This study aims to determine the perspectives of local residents on ecotourism, their expectations, and opinions regarding current and potential activities in the region. Based on field surveys and statistical analyses, findings reveal that Taraklı has considerable ecotourism potential and that sustainable strategies can be implemented with strong community support. However, infrastructure shortcomings must be addressed, and public participation should be enhanced. In this context, Taraklı has the potential to serve as a model for other rural regions seeking to develop ecotourism in line with sustainability principles.

Keywords

Taraklı (Sakarya) District, cittaslow, ecotourism, rural tourism, local people

Ethical Statement

The article adheres to national and international research and publication ethics. Ethics Committee document numbered E-83443830-000-2400049957, dated 08. February 2025 was added to the study.

Thanks

This article was produced from her Master's Thesis conducted at the Department of Landscape Architecture, Institute of Science, Atatürk University.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Recreation, Leisure and Tourism Geography, Landscape Management

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Gökçe Can This is me
0009-0002-4160-2975
Türkiye

Elif Akpınar Külekçi ^*
0000-0003-2818-8562
Türkiye

Publication Date

July 28, 2026

Submission Date

August 26, 2025

Acceptance Date

April 15, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 11 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30785/mbud.1751230

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA74PP46KD

APA

Can, G., & Akpınar Külekçi, E. (2026). Local People’s Perception of Ecotourism In Taraklı (Sakarya): An Evaluation in The Context of Socio-Demographic Variables. Journal of Architectural Sciences and Applications, 11(1), 104-118. https://doi.org/10.30785/mbud.1751230

AMA

1.Can G, Akpınar Külekçi E. Local People’s Perception of Ecotourism In Taraklı (Sakarya): An Evaluation in The Context of Socio-Demographic Variables. JASA. 2026;11(1):104-118. doi:10.30785/mbud.1751230

Chicago

Can, Gökçe, and Elif Akpınar Külekçi. 2026. “Local People’s Perception of Ecotourism In Taraklı (Sakarya): An Evaluation in The Context of Socio-Demographic Variables”. Journal of Architectural Sciences and Applications 11 (1): 104-18. https://doi.org/10.30785/mbud.1751230.

EndNote

Can G, Akpınar Külekçi E (July 1, 2026) Local People’s Perception of Ecotourism In Taraklı (Sakarya): An Evaluation in The Context of Socio-Demographic Variables. Journal of Architectural Sciences and Applications 11 1 104–118.

IEEE

[1]G. Can and E. Akpınar Külekçi, “Local People’s Perception of Ecotourism In Taraklı (Sakarya): An Evaluation in The Context of Socio-Demographic Variables”, JASA, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 104–118, July 2026, doi: 10.30785/mbud.1751230.

ISNAD

Can, Gökçe - Akpınar Külekçi, Elif. “Local People’s Perception of Ecotourism In Taraklı (Sakarya): An Evaluation in The Context of Socio-Demographic Variables”. Journal of Architectural Sciences and Applications 11/1 (July 1, 2026): 104-118. https://doi.org/10.30785/mbud.1751230.

JAMA

1.Can G, Akpınar Külekçi E. Local People’s Perception of Ecotourism In Taraklı (Sakarya): An Evaluation in The Context of Socio-Demographic Variables. JASA. 2026;11:104–118.

MLA

Can, Gökçe, and Elif Akpınar Külekçi. “Local People’s Perception of Ecotourism In Taraklı (Sakarya): An Evaluation in The Context of Socio-Demographic Variables”. Journal of Architectural Sciences and Applications, vol. 11, no. 1, July 2026, pp. 104-18, doi:10.30785/mbud.1751230.

Vancouver

1.Gökçe Can, Elif Akpınar Külekçi. Local People’s Perception of Ecotourism In Taraklı (Sakarya): An Evaluation in The Context of Socio-Demographic Variables. JASA. 2026 Jul. 1;11(1):104-18. doi:10.30785/mbud.1751230

Local People's Perception of Ecotourism In Taraklı (Sakarya): An Evaluation in The Context of Socio-Demographic Variables

Taraklı'da (Sakarya) Yerel Halkın Ekoturizm Algısı: Sosyo-Demografik Değişkenler Bağlamında Bir Değerlendirme

Abstract

Keywords

Local People's Perception of Ecotourism In Taraklı (Sakarya): An Evaluation in The Context of Socio-Demographic Variables

Abstract

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Thanks

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

Cite

JASA JOURNAL TAG / MBUD DERGİ KÜNYESİ