An Evaluation of The Cave Tourism in Turkey

Abstract

The world is in a rapid change in economic, technological and social aspects. This change affects tourism as effect as everything. The new tourist demand slides from mass tourism to alternative tourism types. One of the alternative tourism types is cave tourism. Caves, which are the first shelters of people, lose their importance in time because of the development of civilization. Interest in cave begins again with scientists’ effect in 19 th century. This interest continues with tourism types based on the cave values today. In this research, the usage of the caves in tourism and the situation of cave tourism in the world and in our country are discussed. In this study, which is based on the literature review, the qualitative research method has been taken as a basis and a conceptual framework has been formed by analyzing the source and document. As a result of this study, it comes out that the caves in Turkey usually services as show caves. On the other hand, adventure, health and education values of caves in Turkey can be used for developing cave tourism.