The determination of natural tourism potential of Eastern Anatolia Region and propositions for the planning of concerning Potential

Abstract

Today, tourism is regarded as one of the most important factors that facilitate global approach and development. Among the alternatives of the tourism industry nicknamed as the chimneyless industry in the 21^st century, especially cultural and natural tourism have gained momentum in recent years. Although the number of tourists of cultural and natural tourism is low in comparison to the coasts (sea) tourism, the income they gained is well above the income of coast tourism. This situation has given way to the investments related to cultural and natural tourism in our country as it has in the world. The Eastern Anatolia Region with its vast lands, the highest and the most colourful natural geography in Turkey houses a rich natural tourism potential in terms of morphological climatic and floristic conditions. Changing climatic conditions throughout the altitude zones of the region and winter sports that arise in reflection to this situation improve the potential natural tourism in the region. The water volume of rich river network that appears in accordance with climate, heights and tectonic structure shows significant increases in rainy seasons (spring). In this season, the rivers whose volume of water rises form an important tourism potential for water sports. The purpose of this study is to reveal the tourism potential originating from natural geography of the Eastern Anatolia Region and to develop strategies for the alternatives of the natural tourism with SWOT analyses in the region as a sustainable economic source.