DESCRIPTION

Keywords

Sustainable tourism, private investors, stakeholder involvement, cooperation of actors

Who, Where, When

Coordinating body: Belek Tourism Investors Association (Betuyab). Betuyab is a management association founded in 1988 by the investor companies of the region with the support of the Ministry of Tourism which also leads it. Every company investing in the Belek Tourism Center is obligated to be a member of Betuyab.

Location: Antalya, Serik, Turkey

When: The process started in 1988 and is still ongoing.

How

Betuyab's goals and activities are realized through cooperation among the investors, the local inhabitants, the official association and establishments, and the relevant ministries (Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Forestry etc.). Support has been given by the consulting services of various universities, including Hacettepe University and Mediterranean University. An infrastructural participation share was collected from each Betuyab member at the beginning of the project, and a monthly subscription has been collected since. Projects with high costs are financed equally (1:3) by the Ministries, the public establishments, and the Betuyab investors.

Characterisation

The project aims to establish "sustainable tourism" in the Belek Tourism Centre.

The project marks that, for the first time in Turkey, all the investors of a region have handed over the management to an establishment like Betuyab to develop the region.

Results Achieved

The project marks that, for the first time in Turkey, all the investors of a region have handed over the management to an establishment like Betuyab to develop the region.

• As the Ministry of Tourism has decided that the regions sustainable tourism development can not support any further tourism investments, new investments will not be allowed;
• All tourism establishments are connected to three wastewater purification plants. Some of the wastewater is used for irrigation, while the remaining water is completely cleaned and released back into nature;
• Infrastructure projects which required high financial costs and timely planning were finished before the completion of the Belek Tourism Center;
• Supported by the scientific consulting services of the universities, the campaign against mosquitoes, houseflies and sand flies continues, achieving a success rate of 90%.

• The universities continue to investigate the ecological infrastructure and its regional diversity, and to publish documents on biological diversity;
• Awareness-raising studies have also been produced, including three books and various posters, ("100 Birds of Belek", "250 Plants of Belek" and "20 Endemic Plants of Belek");
• Fire hydrants have been placed in the forests under the protection of the region, and fire fighting equipment capable of mastering the regional topography has been purchased;
• Two firemen, hired and paid by Betuyab, are on duty throughout the year, reinforced by four additional men during the season when forest fire risks are high. To prevent fire and dangers, communication systems have been installed, with Betuyabs office serving as their centre.;
• Various projects, protocols and collective works have been done in cooperation with NGOs.

Lessons learnt

The success of the Belek Tourism Center is related to the new and different nature of the organization and to the consultative support from universities.

It is important to have studies that are scientifically based, and directed towards the future.

The lack of private and public separation of the investors fostered an attitude of trust by the state. The private sector and local public are very excited towards Betuyab, encouraging them to work together.

Comments

A tourism carrying capacity should be carried out as it looks like the regions ecosystems and infrastructure can not support any further tourism investments. However, tourism in the low season should be encouraged. Especially Belek is well known as an international Golf Center.

Conclusion

Cooperation of actors is an important tool for sustainable tourism.

Contact details

Sirer Aydin, General ManagerHead Office: Belek Tourism Investors AssociationKuzgun Sokak no. 88/106540 A. Ayranc1-Ankara TurkeyTel. 0312 441 54 27 - 441 67 22-23; Fax 0312. 441 54 28
Antalya OfficeBelek Tourism Center Iskele MevkiiP.K. 3207500 Serik-Antalya TurkeyTel. (0242) 725 56 92-93; Fax (0242) 725 56 94

Source

http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/mgroups/success/tour3.htm