Identifying and Assessing Tourism Potential of Şavşat, a Cittaslow of Turkey

Rural areas, due to their natural and human characteristics, are featured by a narrow range of economic activities.However, they are also significant touristic destinations for the very same reasons. Related areas, where traditional features, and cultural structure are preserved; and negative impact of human on nature is to the least extent, has gained touristic importance in recent years. With a high potential for tourist attraction, Şavşat may be turned into a hub of tourism sector as a result of proceedings, and plannings to be realized accordingly. Hence, the fact that Şavşat has gained the status of 10th Cittaslow of Turkey in 2015, both reflects such a tourism potential, and is a good opportunity to make widely known, and use that potential. Accordingly, upon touching on the tourist attractions of Şavşat, recommendations on using that potential are expressed in this study. Further, this study attempts to underline opportunities, and risks by analyzing Şavşat through SWOT method