The importance of visitor characteristics and perceptions in the planning and effective management of protected areas: Kurşunlu Waterfall Natural Park example

Abstract

Nowadays, protected areas are protected and used areas for various purposes. One of the key factors for the sustainable management of these areas is the visitors who use these areas. In this study, the effects of visitor characteristics and perceptions on the planning of protected areas and sustainable management were investigated. Kurşunlu Waterfall Natural Park in Antalya was selected as the study area. In the scope of the study, literature analysis, questionnaire-interview and field observations were used as data collection methods. For the analyses of obtained data, statistics package program (SPSS 20.0) was used. The factor analysis method was used to determine the factors affecting visitor perceptions and chi-square (χ2) test to explore the associations between the variables. According to the results of the study, the area is highly demanded due to its proximity to the city centre. High number of visitors, reduces the level of utilization of the visitors who prefer the area and may cause visual and environmental degradation in the area. Visitors’ preferences and perceptions are closely related to three factors: "visitor satisfaction and happiness", "suitability and adequacy of lower and upper structural elements", "visitor safety and visual integrity". The association of visitor characteristics with these factors gives the decision makers important clues that can be used to protect the park and manage it effectively.

Keywords

• ziyaretçi özellikleri
• korunan alanlar
• ziyaretçi yönetimi
• kurşunlu şelalesi tabiat parkı
• antalya
• visitor characteristics
• kurşunlu waterfall nature park
• antalya
• protected areas
• visitor management
• antalya