Determination of the Recreational Landscape Potential of Tarsus (Mersin) District and Its Surroundings for Tourism

Year 2023, Volume: 8 Issue: 2, 767 - 783, 16.12.2023

Sümeyye Gencer , Elif Akpınar Külekçi

https://doi.org/10.30785/mbud.1370681

Abstract

The study conducted an investigation into the effective utilization of Tarsus district's historical and cultural assets in Mersin province, with a focus on its tourism potential. The primary objectives were to promote the region and contribute to its economic, social, and cultural advancement. A survey was administered to gather information on dominant tourism types in Tarsus, including historical sites, cultural landmarks, local crafts, cuisine, caves, camping, wildlife, flora, gastronomy, local resources, natural attractions, and aesthetics. The results highlighted Tarsus' prominence due to its cultural heritage, historical structures, and natural wealth. Despite Tarsus's cultural diversity and tourism potential, the study revealed its current underrepresentation and various challenges, including the vulnerability of historical assets, insufficient infrastructure, and unguided utilization. The study suggests adopting a sustainable approach that balances conservation with utilization to address these issues and help Tarsus attain the recognition it rightfully deserves in the field of recreation and tourism.

Keywords

Mersin-Tarsus, recreation, tourism, landscape architecture, sustainability

Thanks

This research was produced from a master's thesis. In this study, ethics committee compliance approval was received from Atatürk University Science and Engineering Sciences Ethics Committee Presidency with the document dated 02.06.2021 and numbered E-77040475-000-2100142908.

Tarsus (Mersin) İlçesi ve Yakın Çevresinin Turizme Yönelik Rekreasyonel Peyzaj Potansiyelinin Belirlenmesi

Abstract

Bu çalışmada Mersin iline bağlı Tarsus ilçesi tarihi ve kültürel zenginliklerinin etkin şekilde kullanımını ve bölgenin turizm yönünü keşfetmek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Araştırmada yörenin tanıtılmasına yardımcı olmak ve halkın ekonomik, sosyal ve kültürel anlamda gelişmesini katkı sağlamak hedeflenmektedir. Çalışma kapsamında yapılan anket çalışmasında katılımcılara Tarsus kentinin turizm alanında tarihi mekânlar, kültürel yapı, yöresel el sanatları, yöresel yemekler, mağaralar, kamp / karavan, fauna, flora, gastronomi turizmi, yöresel zenginliği, doğal çekicilikleri ve güzellikleri gibi hangi turizm türlerinin baskın olduğu gibi pek çok soru yöneltilmiş ve bölgenin turizm potansiyeli belirlenmeye çalışılmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlar değerlendirildiğinde Mersin iline bağlı Tarsus ilçesinin özellikle kültürel mirası, tarihi yapıları ve doğal kaynak zenginliği ile ön plana çıktığı görülmektedir. Çalışma sonucunda, rekreasyon ve turizm potansiyeli açısından önemli bir kültür mozaiğine sahip olan Tarsus ne yazık ki pek çok açıdan bugün hak ettiği yerde olmadığı koruma kullanma dengesi içerisinde sürdürülebilir yaklaşımla gerekli önlemler alınması gerekliliği ortaya konulmuştur.

Keywords

Tarsus (Mersin), rekreasyon, turizm, peyzaj mimarlığı, sürdürülebilirlik

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