LOCAL PEOPLE’S PERCEPTIONS ON NATURE-BASED HEALTH (ECO-WELLNESS) TOURISM AND THEIR VIEWS ON THE POTENTIAL OF DESTINATIONS: THE CASE OF EDREMIT GULF

Öz

As a result of the increase in the health-based needs of individuals, importance of nature-based health tourism (NBHT) has also increased. NBHT events provide various contributions to the destinations as well as tourists. In the study, it is aimed to learn the views of the local people living in Edremit Bay on NBHT, to reveal the potential of the region for this type of tourism and to carry out a SWOT Analysis of the region in terms of NBHT. In this study, observation and interview techniques from qualitative research methods have been used to collect data. It has been collected data from 108 participants (local people) between 15.06.2022 and 06.01.2023 via using a semi-structured questionnaire after observations have been carried out at the destination by the researchers. Maxqda has been used in the analysis of the data obtained from the field research. It has been determined that "thermal springs", "Kaz and Madra Mountains", "sea, sand and sun", "view areas" and "forests" are formed of the potential for DTST in Edremit Bay. Besides it has been determined that "nature walks", "utilizing thermal resources" and "cycling" are included among the prominent activities in the destination. On the other hand; it has been determined that the strongest aspect of Edremit Bay is “rich natural resources”, and the weakest aspect is “transportation, vehicle and traffic/parking problems” in terms of NBHT.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Nature Based Health Tourism
• Nature Based Tourism Activities
• Eco-wellness
• SWOT Analysis
• Local People
• Edremit Bay.

Proje Numarası

2022/113

YEREL HALKIN DOĞA TEMELLİ SAĞLIK (EKO-WELLNESS) TURİZMİNE (DTST) İLİŞKİN ALGILAMALARI VE DESTİNASYONUN TURİZM POTANSİYELİNE İLİŞKİN GÖRÜŞLERİ: EDREMİT KÖRFEZİ ÖRNEĞİ

Öz

Bireylerin sağlık temelli gereksinimlerinin artması sonucunda doğa temelli sağlık turizminin (DTST) önemi de artmıştır. DTST etkinlikleri, turistlerin yanı sıra turistik bir ürün olarak geliştirildikleri bölgeye de çeşitli katkılar sunmaktadır. Çalışmanın ana amacı Edremit Körfezi'nde yaşayan yerel halkın DTST’ye ilişkin görüşlerini öğrenme; çalışmanın alt amaçları bölgenin bu turizm çeşidine ilişkin potansiyelini ortaya çıkarma ve bölgenin DTST açısından GZFT (Durum) Analizinin yapılmasıdır. Yapılan çalışmada verilerin toplanması için nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden mülakat tekniğine başvurulmuştur. Bu doğrultuda yarı yapılandırılmış soru formu kullanılarak 15.06.2022-06.01.2023 tarihleri arasında 108 katılımcıdan (yerel halk) veri toplanmıştır. Saha araştırmasından elde edilen verilerin analizinde Maxqda nitel veri analizi programından yararlanılmıştır. Edremit Körfezi’nde DTST’ye ilişkin potansiyeli ağırlıklı olarak; “termal kaynakların”, “Kaz ve Madra Dağlarının”, “deniz, kum ve güneşin”, “seyir alanlarının” ve “ormanların” oluşturduğu tespit edilmiştir. Destinasyonda öne çıkan etkinlikler içerisinde ise; “doğa yürüyüşleri”, “termal kaynaklardan yararlanma” ve “bisikletin” bulunduğu sonuçlarına ulaşılmıştır. Öte yandan DTST açısından Edremit Körfezinin en güçlü yönünün “zengin doğal kaynaklar”, en zayıf yönünün ise “ulaşım, araç ve trafik/ park sorunları” olduğu belirlenmiştir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Doğa Temelli Sağlık Turizmi
• Doğa Temelli Turizm Etkinlikleri
• Edremit Körfezi
• GZFT Analizi
• Yerel Halk.
• Eko-wellness

Destekleyen Kurum

Balıkesir üniversitesi

Proje Numarası

2022/113

Teşekkür

Balıkesir Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırmalar Birimine verdikleri desteklerden dolayı teşekkürü bir borç biliriz.

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