Description:
<p>Ecotourism is defined as tourism activities that respect and do not harm the environmental and cultural values of the local area. Ecotourism emerges as an important alternative tourism type that enables the socio-economic development of the local region. Demre district, which is affiliated with Antalya district, has hosted many civilizations from the past to the present and is an important tourism destination rich in cultural, historical, and natural beauties. Within the scope of this study, the current ecotourism potential of the Demre district was determined. In the study, firstly the concept and importance of ecotourism were explained. In the second phase, the ecotourism assets of the Demre district were determined and the current ecotourism potential was revealed. A comprehensive literature search was conducted for the study. Demre district has 7 beaches, 8 bays, 1 lagoon, 2 caves, 2 wildlife observation and protection areas, 3 rural settlements with prominent natural and cultural values, 2 healing water sources, 1 stream, 3 natural protected areas, and “Important natural area” assets determined by IUCN, 3 museums, 10 churches, 7 registered cultural assets, 21 archaeological protected areas, and natural and cultural ecotourism potential has been determined. Finally, a SWOT analysis was created by determining the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats regarding the determined ecotourism potential. With the SWOT analysis, the future situations that may occur regarding the ecotourism potential of Demre district were predicted and determined. Based on the data obtained, suggestions were developed tha</p>