Page 106 - Çevre Şehir İklim İngilizce - Sayı 1

Climate Change Responsive Tourism Planning:

• Weaknesses

Low Tourism Revenues
Although Türkiye is one of the 10 most travelled countries, it seems to fall
behind in tourism revenues rankings (Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Kalkınma Bakanlığı,
2013). Although Türkiye was the 6th most visited countries in 2018, it came
14th in terms of tourism revenues, rising to the 13th place in 2019 (Ministry of
Culture and Tourism, 2019; UNWTO, 2020).
Concentration of Tourism in Certain Areas

Although there are efforts to prioritize and promote different tourism types
in all regions of Türkiye, the Mediterranean and Aegean regions as well as
Istanbul differ from other regions and attract more tourists. There are regional
differences in terms of tourism investments and demands (Türkiye Cumhuriyeti
Kalkınma Bakanlığı, 2013).

Domination of Mass Tourism
All-inclusive system and mass tourism are quite common in the most popular
tourist attraction, Antalya (Gülbahar, 2009). Based on the geography, natural
and climatic features, accommodation infrastructure quality and capacities
as well as global marketing methods, studies conclude that the dominant
tourism type is mass tourism (all-inclusive system) (Boz, 2019). This form of
tourism decreases local earnings, and restricts the interaction between tourist
and the local community.

Insufficient Alternative Transport Infrastructure
The predominant modes of transport in tourism regions are those based on
fossil fuels. Transport between touristic regions is provided through vehicles
causing high levels of emission such as the busses, cars, or planes. However,
due to geographical difficulties, railway system is not well-developed especially
in coastal regions. Although Tourism Strategy of Türkiye 2023 and Action Plan
(2007-2013) includes strategies about accessibility of tourism destinations, the
main objective of these strategies is not decreasing greenhouse gas emissions
and strengthening alternative transport (Aygün and Baycan, 2020a).
Insufficient Water Resources
Türkiye is not a country rich in water, and water scarcity is one of the most
important threats posed by climate change in the Mediterranean region
(UNWTO, 2008). The dry seasons, the use of conventional farming methods,
and the increased demand due to tourism demand in summer months cause
difficulties in water supply.

Year 1 / Issue 1 / Jan 2022 91