A Proposal of Branding Water-Based Recreational Activities Within The Destination Management Project in The Dalaman Basin, Muğla, Turkey

"Arrival place" (TDK, 2012) or "a place that has different natural features or attractions where visitors are interested in visiting" (Coltman, 1989: 48) were defined as destination. Nowadays this is one of the topics that attention is paid to in tourism literature. However, destination is drawn in a regional boundaries rather than political boundaries where tourist resources in a geographic area are clustered. This in turn necessitates the different local government units and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in acting management and marketing together. Dalaman basin boundaries cover Dalaman, Ortaca and Koycegiz municipalities in the province of Mugla. Dalaman international airport is located in the area that tourists have an easy access to reach accommodation establishments soon after they land and tourists further benefit from the region's historical and touristic values. This study has primarily presented the findings regarding Dalaman Basin Destination Management Project involving these three municipalities, the tourism business representatives, NGOs and Mugla Sıtkı Kocman University lecturers. Through this consecutive meetings among these parties involved, a main conclusion has drawn upon waterbased recreational activities should be focused and these activities should be used in marketing the region. Further to this conclusion, these water-based activities should be branded. Within this destination management project, "Turkish Water Land" was proposed as a brand name to describe the region?s water-based activities. The three local authorities of the Dalaman basin unanimously agreed upon a protocol stating the roles and allocation of investments and expenditures required. Water based recreation activities are located in the region as follows: Dalaman river, Koycegiz lake, Iztuzu and Sarigerme beaches, Ekin and Sarsala bays and Dalyan canal.