Determination of strategies of ecotourism in protected areas with SWOT-AHP Method: The Case of Aksaray – Ihlara Special Environmental Protection Zone (SEPZ)

The need to overcome the problems created by human impact in protected areas has today necessitated the creation of various ways of sustainable development . The sustainability paradigm has become an important framework in tourism as in many other fields. Ecotourism is seen as a key element in the sustainability of tourism. It is defined as a tourism approach that protects and develops natural and cultural values, and at the same time enables the participation and development of local people. The aim of this study was to develop suitable ecotourism strategies for Aksaray’s Ihlara Valley which is a Special Environmental Protection Zone (SEPZ). For this purpose, SWOT-AHP technique, which is a hybrid method, was used. In this study, after conducting the SWOT analysis which clarified the strengths-weaknesses and opportunity-threats of the Ihlara Valley, the weightings of SWOT groups and factors were determined by Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Developed strategies for environmental, socio-cultural and economic sustainability are: “Determination of carrying capacity with effective ecotourism planning”, “the creation of a new image of the region within the scope of international protection status”, “elimination of tourism infrastructure- superstructure deficiencies”, “diversification of tourist activities”, “organizing training programs and courses of ecotourism for stakeholders” and “ensuring economic prosperity through the participation of local people in tourism”. These strategies are thought to be beneficial for stakeholders in developing protection-use practices in a possible ecotourism planning process in Ihlara SEPZ.