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-A: Tortum Waterfall, B: The Stroll Route, C: Tortum Waterfall and Stroll Route, D: Brigde, E: Stairway, and F: Picnic Area
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![FIGURE 3 -Recommended pedestrian body ellipse for standing areas [1, 2].](profile/Metin-Demir/publication/287296654/figure/fig2/AS:336954982977538@1457347736445/Recommended-pedestrian-body-ellipse-for-standing-areas-1-2_Q320.jpg)
Tortum Waterfall is one of the most remarkable natural treasures of Turkey, and the third highest natural waterfall in the world. There is a recreation area around the waterfall for tourists visiting the site. An observation platform allows the visitors to have a close sight to the waterfall. A staircase leads to the underneath of the waterfall. He...
Context in source publication
Context 1
... falls from an area with the height of 48 m and 22 m width forming a rainbow and a huge pothole. There is a stone path from upper and lower part of the waterfall covered with an iron handrail, and a wooden bridge over Tortum Creek at the bottom of the area linking waterfalls and both sides of the river (Fig. ...
Citations
... A few studies have addressed visitor capacity at waterfall sites (Göktuğ, Bulut, Yıldız, & Demir, 2013;Healy, 2006;Manning, Valliere, Wang, Lawson, & Newman, 2003). However, none of these studies examined visitor capacity at waterfalls attracting various recreational uses (e.g., swimming, climbing, jumping). ...
The purpose of this research is to apply visitor employed photography (VEP) to recreation management to develop indicators of the wildlife viewing experience. VEP and semi-structured interviews were used at a popular polar bear viewing destination in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Arctic Refuge). Visitors to the Arctic Refuge who participated in an on-site semi-structured interview were asked to participate in a VEP procedure after their visit. A sample of 24 semi-structured interviews, and 27 VEP responses were collected and compared to test the utility of VEP to develop indicators of the wildlife viewing experience. Results indicate that VEP offers additional and unique types of information from semi-structured interviews for identifying indicators of the wildlife viewing experience. Potential indicators that emerged from VEP include ‘time spent on the water viewing polar bears’, and the ‘number of vessels in view.’ Indicators emerged exclusively from the VEP procedure, demonstrating the utility of VEP for recreation management and scientific inquiry.
... A few studies have addressed visitor capacity at waterfall sites (Göktuğ, Bulut, Yıldız, & Demir, 2013;Healy, 2006;Manning, Valliere, Wang, Lawson, & Newman, 2003). However, none of these studies examined visitor capacity at waterfalls attracting various recreational uses (e.g., swimming, climbing, jumping). ...
Waterfalls are popular tourist attractions due to their soundscape, beauty, natural pool, and recreational opportunities. High visitation and use amplifies the risk of degrading pristine waterfall sites and their resources. Not only are waterfalls experiencing high demand, but state parks are also experiencing high use. State parks are typically closer
to population centers and complement national parks by providing recreational opportunities to more, diverse visitors (Gomez & Hill, 2016). The present study aimed to provide a basis for understanding the visitor experience and visitor capacity at a state park with iconic waterfalls where visitors engage in water-based recreation (e.g., swim in the natural pool). In tandem with the examination of visitor capacity, this study investigated activity displacement and substitutability. Researchers deployed visitor questionnaires and time-lapse field cameras in the peak use season of 2016 to collect data about visitor use at a popular waterfall-based state park in Tennessee. The results indicated that use levels at the waterfall area within the park were near or above
crowding-based thresholds, supporting the implementation of a visitor capacity. While the results do not provide evidence of activity displacement, they seem to reflect a reduction in the visitors’ freedom of choice in activity. With regard to substitutability, most visitors indicated that if they could not swim at the waterfall then there are no other activities that would provide them with the same level of satisfaction and
enjoyment. Therefore, management actions that safeguard opportunities to swim or that determine substitutable activities could preserve the quality of the visitor experience. The authors recommend a visitor experience monitoring program at the park to ascertain that the visitor capacity is not violated. Additionally, several recommendations
are made for future studies to improve visitor capacity assessments, measure and understand displacement, and explore the relationship between displacement and substitutability. This study fills a gap in the literature by empirically investigating the experiential visitor capacity of a waterfall site and using the recently developed Visitor Use Management (VUM) framework in a state park. Empirical social science-based
research is important because citizens highly value waterfalls and primarily gain exposure to nature through state park visits.
Purpose: It is the determination of the Physical and Social Carrying Capacity in the Controlled Use Areas specified in the Development plans of Yozgat Çamlığı National Park, which was declared in 1958 and is the first National Park of our country. In addition, with this study, it is aimed to be a source for visitor management models for the correct use of resources by considering sustainability values.
Method: The study consists of 4 stages. In the first stage, it was a priority to select the working area and determine the objectives. In the second stage, national/international literature review was carried out and on-site observations were made in every season of the study area, photo archives were created, and necessary notes were taken during the field examination. In the third stage, Social Carrying Capacity (SCC) was calculated under two subheadings. In the first step, a face-to-face survey was conducted with 384 participants who used the national park. In the second step, participants were created with a series of simulation images and asked to score according to their own crowd tolerance levels. In the fourth stage, Physical Carrying Capacity (PCC) in controlled use areas is calculated under four subheadings. In the first step, according to the standards of the Recreation Area Regulation published by the GDF, the adequacy of the facilities and equipment in the National Park, the Physical Carrying Capacity of the daily picnic area and the special project area, which is the most intensive use area in the second step, the walking paths in the picnic area in the third step, and the landscape viewing points in the fourth step were calculated by separate methods.
Finding: According to the data obtained, the Social Carrying Capacity in the daily picnic area (DUA-1) of Yozgat Çamlığı National Park was determined as 524 visitors/day and 84 visitors/day on the route of the scenic viewing points. In the calculation of Physical Carrying Capacity, the capacities and adequacy of the facilities and reinforcement units were examined according to the Recreation Area Regulation. It was concluded that the picnic units were insufficient and could not serve the visitors adequately in intensive use, and considering this situation, a total of 198 picnic units, 50 fountains with 4 taps each, 50 picnic stoves and a parking lot for a total of 181 vehicles should be added throughout the area in order not to adversely affect recreation. Physical Capacity in Day Use Areas (DUA-1, 3491 visitors/day, 1533 visitors/day for DUA-2) was determined as 5024 visitors/day, 1,411 visitors/day on the walking paths in the picnic area at DUA-1 and finally 108 visitors/day at the scenic viewing points.
Conclusion: As a result of the research; It was concluded that Yozgat Çamlığı National Park was exposed to a use exceeding the capacity calculated in the Controlled Use Areas and that recreational facilities were suppressed during intensive area uses. Solutions were proposed to create the right visitor management model in the National Park, to enable visitors to the area to benefit from recreation opportunities more effectively and to have an uninterrupted recreational experience.
Studies of the variables that make waterfalls an undoubted attraction for geotourism remain relatively rare. Through surveys in Parque Nacional de Ordesa and Monte Perdido (Spain), we analyze some of the most important variables of waterfalls, such as morphological characteristics, discharge, or esthetic aspects, including scenery. Statistical analysis reveals differences in the perception of attractiveness between seasons of the year. Spring seems to produce the best effect. Changes in perception affect most of the variables studied. However, there are complex relationships between seasons of the year and the variables studied. Slight changes in discharge lead to a positive perception by geotourists of morphological and esthetic variables, although these variables are apparently disconnected. The correlation between scenery and waterfall beauty is significant, at a 0.05 p value, but despite this, geotourists do not choose any specific environment as the best location for a waterfall. Surprisingly, an urban environment can become an ideal place, at the same level as a different but wilder one. The geological characteristics that encompass a waterfall are another strong and important point in the preferences of the visitor. The abundant scientific-geological information about waterfalls and their surroundings could be used as an informative complement to improve the quality of visits. Geotourists already demand this information. An adequate waterfall classification, the use of genetic aspects, and the processes involved in a specific waterfall feature could be of interest in interpretative signs or brochures. The findings of our study could be used in management strategies as new designs for viewing points, trail access, location of interpretative boards, and educational programs.
