THE PERSPECTIVES OF LOCAL RESIDENTS ON THE RURAL TOURISM: THE CASE OF SAMSUN KIZILIRMAK DELTA

The development and sustainability of rural tourism in a region is closely related to the local residents’ perspectives of rural tourism. When viewed from this aspect, it is crucial to point out their perspectives on rural tourism. The aim of this study is to determine the perspectives of the local residents living in Samsun K？z？l？rmak Delta (the districts of Ala？am, Bafra ve 19 May？s) on rural tourism in terms of economic, socio-cultural and environmental effects. In this context, a field study has been conducted. The sample of the study consists of 324 people living in K？z？l？rmak Delta. Moreover, the sample has been formed by convenience sampling method from non-probability sampling methods. Economic, socio-cultural and environmental impacts of rural tourism have been evaluated with a 28-item data collection tool. The data have been obtained by survey technique in the study conducted between January 2018 and February 2018. As a result of the study, it has been found that the local residents think that the rural tourism affects the region positively in terms of economic and socio-cultural aspects. However, they have unstable perspectives in terms of the environmental effects. When the demographic characteristics of the local residents are examined, it is determined that their perspectives on the effects of rural tourism differ