The role of spatial planning for sustainable tourism development: A theoretical model for Turkey

Planning concept is an important concept for realizing the benefits of the tourism sector for localities, public and environment. Planning is a broad term covering several stages from national strategic decisions to unique design applications. Spatial planning is an important aspect of planning with a focus on physical planning in various sectors as well as tourism. The importance of planning has increased with the prominence of a second concept; sustainability. Since the 1970' s, sustainability has continuously gained importance in all socio economic aspects of human beings. It is also important for the tourism sector as this sector has effects on the environment. This article tackles the role and importance of physical planning for the development of sustainable tourism concept. For this reason, a model is built for sustainable tourism development in Turkey as Turkish legislation system regarding planning and tourism should be improved in terms of sustainability. The aim of the article is to determine how to integrate spatial planning to sustainable tourism development and to decide the possible pathways within sustainable tourism development. The model considers all stages from large scale decisions to architectural design within a comprehensive manner. This model could be utilized to deal with all aspects of planning, such as policies, strategies, spatial decisions, building structuring, density, site planning and architecture.