Evaluation of Hopa's Rural Tourism Potential in the Context of European Union Tourism Policy

Today, rural tourism is supported in all EU countries due to its socio-cultural, economic, spatial and environmental functions and positive effect on developing vernacular building sector in rural area. In this study, conceptual framework will be drawn by putting forth the concept of rural tourism. Subsequently, EU tourism policy will be summarised. Then, the importance of rural tourism in EU countries and the reasons for a support of it at EU level will be explained. After that, Hopa will be examined to demonstrate its potential on rural tourism via pointing out its natural values of green landscape, agricultural economy and vernacular architecture. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.