An Integrated Spatial Planning of the Mountainous Landscapes for Ski Sports in a Case Area at the Eastern Türkiye

Abstract

Mountainous regions have disadvantages in economic development because of harsh physical and climatic conditions. However, winter tourism activities are one of the key components for supporting economic development in the highlands. Establishing a ski resort area supports direct and indirect employment in a region, and it stops immigration from mountainous regions to other places. This research aimed to assess the potential ski areas using a multi criteria evaluation technique in the Van region which is located in the eastern part of T & uuml;rkiye. In this context, snow cover duration, sun effect, slope, slope length, elevation, population density, distance from main roads and lake visibility were used as input factors in the decision making process. Each factor was standardized using a fuzzy technique based on existing well-known ski centers in T & uuml;rkiye. The weight of inputs was defined by applying a survey to the professional skiers. The most important factors were detected as transportation opportunities and snow covers whereas, the least important factors were elevation and population density. Additionally, lake visibility was very important to make a difference from other existing facilities in the region. Therefore, it was included as constraints and lake visible areas were extracted at the final stage of the research. Potential ski areas were mapped in three levels as professional, intermediate and beginner skiers. One of the suitable areas was selected as a sample projection and for the 3D simulation of the ski investment area. Potential costs and benefits were discussed. It was found that a ski tourism area investment can be amortized in 3 years in the region.