Determination of rural tourism strategies by rapid rural asessment technique: The case of Tekirdag Province, Sarkoy County

In rural tourism, since it contains a large number of interest groups (such as local residents, tourists, local and central authorities, tour operators, civil society organizations and associations etc.), a successful rural tourism policy must take into account all these interest groups. On the other hand, interest groups should necessary support the implementation of rural tourism. The participation of interest groups should be provided to determine rural tourism strategy and prioritization process in this direction. In this context, rapid rural appraisal technique, applied in the case of Tekirdag Province, Sarkoy County. It is aimed at creating awareness on realization of rural tourism planning in the field, and it is targeted to discuss rural development issues, expectations and solutions and rural tourism. Also identification of the applicability of strategies on rural tourism was intended. The findings have been analyzed with the method of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT) analysis and the suggestions have been developed.