AGRO-TOURISM POTENTIAL IN BILECIK PROVINCE

Abstract

The tourism sector in Turkey is rapidly growing and diversifying as well as in the world. The fact that tourism has become a massive phenomenon has led to emergence of alternative tourism types reactively. Agro-tourism as a type of alternative tourism is considered as an important alternative that can maintain rural population in developing countries where rural population gets smaller. Bilecik province is not an exception which loses rural population rapidly. It is thought that if agro-tourism is developed, it will extend support to rural development creating a significant area of employment and will make great contribution the income of the local people. The location of Bilecik is close to major cities such as Istanbul, Kocaeli, Bursa, Sakarya and Eskisehir seems to be a considerable advantage. The province is situated at intersection of four different geographical regions with different climatic characteristics, and thus offers a wide variety of agricultural product. Besides agricultural products; traditional Ottoman houses preserved by Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ertugrul Ghazi Tomb in Sogut district, and traditional pot making in Kinik Village around the district of Pazaryeri bear an important potential of agro-tourism. In the study, SWOT analysis was done to help the investment planned for agro-tourism at decision-making phase. Bilecik has favourable conditions for development of this particular tourism although it is in the initial stages of agro-tourism activities. Zeytinlibogaz can stand as a good example of agro-tourism as the only farm. As a result, Bilecik reserves rich potentials of agro-tourism considering the agricultural festivals, Hidirellez, The Commemorating Ertugrul Ghazi and Sogut Festivities, its historical and cultural heritage, Harmankaya Canyon, self-picking activities, and farm activities.