A Winter Tourism Center Having Local Importance in Samsun: Akdag (Ladik)

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Although the Central Black Sea Region has limited natural opportunities for winter tourism, Akdağ located within the borders of Ladik District of Samsun province is a winter tourism center which can be considered as an exception in terms of climate and topographical properties. Even though Akdağ Ski Center came into service in 2010, it makes an important contribution to the local economy with its ever-increasing tourism activity. The average length of ski season in the field is around 100-110 days. The increase in the population in Samsun City and the accompanying tourism demand have further increased the importance of Akdağ that can be visited with excursions. Since Akdağ has an important transportation advantage compared to alternative winter tourism centers (Çankırı Yıldıztepe, Kastamonu Ilgaz and Sivas Yıldızdağı) near Central Black Sea Region, it is a haunt for a great number of visitors during winter season. The mountain is candidate for the tourist attraction center of the region with its surrounding natural and cultural attractions. In the study, tourism potential of Akdağ Winter Tourism Center was investigated and the role of tourist attractions in Akdağ in the region’s tourism was questioned. In case that alternative touristic resources in the region are brougt into tourism, how this would affect the winter tourism in Akdağ was evaluated. This study was prepared mainly by using the qualitative research techniques and the collected data were brought into current form in the light of the obtained findings after they were analyzed.

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Akdağ , winter tourism , climate , tourist attractions

eastern geographical review

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eastern geographical review