Determining the Applicability Potential of Agricultural Tourism, As a Subtype of Rural Tourism in Adıyaman

Abstract

Although it is accepted that definitions for agricultural and rural tourisms are the same, rural tourism is defined as the type carried out by those who wish to interact with nature and get to know rural life style (Nieto R, Hernandez-Maestro R Munoz-Gallego P, 2011) while agricultural tourism is defined as the one that depends on the cultivated area and on the farmer to actualize (Çıkın A, Çeken H, Uçar M, 2009). As a result of the changes that took place in the production systems since the early 1990s, peripheral rural areas in many countries have undergone economic restructuring and alternative approaches are sought and in this context tourism has been identified as having an important role to play (OECD 1995, Cawley M, Gillmor D, 2008) Kahta and Besni have been chosen as the sampled areas for the study. The criteria used in this selection derive from “A Guide to the Evaluation of Touristic Potentials of a Region” an anonymous publication by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Turkey, and data obtained from Provincial Directorate of Agriculture, and natural and cultural sources present in the sampled areas. In conclusion, the said areas are suitable for the visitors to act out agricultural tourism activities in active or passive manners, to get to know local architecture, food and handicrafts. However, adequate agricultural tourism activities are not observed in the areas. The main aim of agricultural tourism activities
is promoting the country by conserving its natural and cultural properties. So, the present study aims at being a guide for the same purpose in the sampled areas.