Example of an ecotourism farm in the context of sustainability: Pastoral valley ecological life farm

In the world and in Turkey, tourists sensitive to nature are becoming more conscious about healthy life are turning towards alternative tourism products. These changes are increasing the importance of concepts such as ecotourism and sustainable tourism, which envisages the use of the natural, cultural environment in the balance of conservation and use. Application areas of ecotourism, developing in line with sustainable principles in Turkey, are expanding. Farm tourism in ecotourism activities is gaining more attention. Due to the absence of a national and legal ecotourism certification program, the precise characteristics of ecological farms cannot be determined. The settlement subject to the study operates under the name of "Pastoral Valley Organic Agriculture and Ecological Life Farm," located in Yaniklar Village of Fethiye district of Mugla Province. It is the pioneering organization for the adoption and dissemination of "sustainable living" throughout the region. By participating in the "TaTuTa" program organized by the Bugday Association for Supporting Ecological Living and hosting volunteers makes significant contributions to alternative tourism activities in the region. The aim of this study is to examine the ecological and sustainable principles of this farm and to serve as an example for the farms that will be built in an ecological approach. The subject farm was investigated by using a case study, one of the qualitative research methods. The findings were grouped under the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of the concept of sustainability. The farm operator defines the settlement as a holiday farm with the taste of returning to the village towards a sustainable life for those who want to forget the stresses and difficulties of urban life and technology in a natural, calm, and peaceful environment. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by IASE.