Ecotourism as a Rural Development Model: As a Women Leaded Ecotourism Process of Piraziz Seyhli Village (the Black Sea Region of Turkey)

Ecotourism is an approach that maintains the social and cultural integrity of a locale, while securing the sustainability of the natural resources of the earth, as well as supporting the economic development of the local community. Turkey has recently begun actualizing the idea of ecotourism as a rural development model. The Eastern Black Sea Region is one of the priorities given region to develop ecotourism in Turkey. Within the scope of this study, Seyhli Ecotourism Village of Piraziz district in the Black Sea Region will be examined. The most important features of Seyhli Village, which was declared an Ecotourism Village within the scope of Tourism Brand Urban Development Plan and coordinated by Giresun Governorate GIRTAB (Giresun Tourism Infrastructure Service Association), are accessibility, ease of transport, high level of education, and women being in charge of this process. In this study, after the potentials of Seyhli Ecotourism Village and the reasons for its selection as an ecotourism area are explained, the ecotourism village approach will be discussed in the context of protection of rural cultural values, natural resources and of understanding women's roles in rural development. The methodology of the study includes site visits, questionnaires, interviews and unobtrusive observation.