Winter tourism of Davraz Mountain

Abstract

Winter tourism comprises activities such as traveling to snowy and sloping areas in ski centers, accommodation in these areas and other services. For winter tourism, the climate is a major factor. However, a particular altitude and slopes are required. A site could be defined as an available territory for winter tourism if there are places that are suitable for climbing and trekking and have appropriate snow for skiing. In addition to the abovementioned issues, the period during which the snow remains on the ground is also a crucial factor. Mountain Davraz has become one of winter tourism centers because of its altitude of 1650– 2250 meters, suitable climate for winter tourism and its location near the center of Isparta town. Moreover, advantages, such as heavy snowfall, low temperatures, geomorphologic features as well as hydrological and vegetational suitability for winter tourism, contribute to its potential. As a winter tourism center Mountain Davraz has available accommodation facilities with qualified staff and climbing equipment like chair lifts, telexes and baby lifts. It should be noted that in recent years, transportation has become possible not only thanks to international airports in Isparta and Antalya, but also due to the construction of highways. All of these features provide benefits to the local economy of Mount Davraz and its hinterland. However, Mount Davraz does not require a big capital for winter tourism, because the real and the biggest capital of Davraz is its own nature. Nevertheless, some issues, like the activities on the plateau, inconveniently steep territory, building tourist establishments, solid and liquid wastes, poaching, biological species smuggling, illegal deforestation, fires and erosion create a dilemma between expecting benefits from tourism and avoiding ecological harm done to the environment.