DETERMINATION OF ECOTOURISM POTENTIAL OF OLTU, OLUR, NARMAN AND ŞENKAYA DISTRICTS BY SWOT ANALYSIS METHOD

Nowadays, the phenomenon of eco-tourism has had a rapid increase within both our country and the world. Being a rich country in terms of natural, historical and cultural sources, it is an opportunity for our country to host eco-touristic events. In an effort to utilize these sources effectively and efficiently, advertisement and promotion activities should be carried out. In addition, some eco-tourism principles should be adopted and plans and strategies should be formulated in order to improve the administration. Because, if eco-tourism is carried out unmethodically and inattentively, it damages the local and general environment seriously. The working area is Oltu, Olur, Narman and Şenkaya, which are the northern districts of Erzurum. The area is very suitable for ecotourism activities which can be carried out due to its climate, history and geographical location. Some of these activities are; river tourism, highland tourism, hunting tourism, mountain tourism, botanical tourism, cave tourism, lake tourism, nature hiking, bird watching, camping tourism. The aim of this study is to determine the ecotourism potentials of Oltu, Olur, Narman and Şenkaya districts, to conduct SWOT analyses, the perspective of the local population on tourism, and to evaluate the situations that may hinder ecotourism. The fact that the region has ecotourism-rich resources, the evaluation of these resources and their contribution to the region reveals the importance of the study.