Towards A New Tourism Approach: Bafa (Latmos) Geotourism Area

When required by the tourism value of natural and cultural resources evaluated in terms of Turkey has significant advantages. These advantages of the country have not been used sufficiently until today and mass tourism has generally dominated. Geotourism, which emerged at the end of the 20th century, is important in terms of using these advantages and coming to the fore in the world market. Bafa Lake and the surrounding area (Latmos Heraklia) is one of these advantageous areas in Turkey. Aim of the study in southwest Turkey, in Muğla province of the located Bafa Lake and its surroundings, including to identify geotourism resource values, to determine how it can be used in the context geotourism these values and to discuss the existing problems in this regard. For this purpose, literature studies on both the field and the subject were carried out, and field studies lasting 3 years were carried out at intervals in the field. Research has shown that findings obtained at the end of Bafa Lake and the surrounding area has scarce resource values of geotourism in Turkey. The geological and geomorphological structure of the area creates an extraordinary appearance, making the area quite unique in terms of geotourism. This geographical character of the area can be strengthened with the locality element and the sense of place, and the area can be transformed into a geotourism destination. The historical past of the area is as rich and diverse as its geological history. Even in antiquity, the world-renowned area has given many historical and cultural heritage as a present. This heritage is intertwined with the geological structure of the region and has a unique character. Geotourism represents an approach that the area needs in terms of maintaining and preserving this character.