CYCLE TOURISM AS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN ÇANAKKALE, TURKEY

The number of the cyclists participating tourism activities in the world is gradually increasing. The cycle tourism, having emerged from people’s travelling by bike according to their own motives, is becoming more popular, cycle routes are getting enlarged, and projects are developed for cycle tours day by day.  Therefore, the elements constituting the cycle tourism have come into prominence and the motivations of the cycle tourists participating bike tours have been studied. Thus, the aim of this study is to find out the importance that cycle tourists give to and the level of the interest they show for cycle tours. The central question of the study raised on is; what is the level of interest and importance on cycling and how can be an important touristic attraction for Çanakkale tourism? For this purpose, in-depth interview technique was used on cyclist groups at different cycle tours in Çanakkale, Turkey. According to the results of the analyses developing cycling by its philosophy and structural requirements in Çanakkale can be feasible in sustainability perspective.