The Transformation Process of Lake Abant, A Protected Area, Into a Nature-Based Tourism Destination

Abstract

Lake Abant and its environs constitute a tourism destination that has retained popularity throughout all four seasons, attracting both overnight visitors and day-trippers. Although national public interest in the area began to emerge—albeit modestly—in the latter half of the 1930s, its transformation into a tourism destination accelerated particularly during the 1950s, as domestic tourism in Türkiye gained momentum. This transformation took place in parallel with the broader development of tourism in the country, supported by the efforts of local administrators and successive governments. From the early Republican era onwards, recreational use of the area steadily increased. Activities such as youth and sports camps, winter sports events organised under the auspices of the People’s Houses (Halkevleri), and the interest shown by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and İsmet İnönü significantly contributed to the region’s emerging identity as a tourism destination. In the 1950s, before terms such as “National Park” or “Nature Park” had entered the legal lexicon, legislative action was taken to formally regulate Lake Abant and its surroundings. Significantly, just prior to the general elections of 14 May 1950—which marked the end of the single-party period and the ascent of the Democrat Party—Law No. 5614 (dated 20 March 1950) on the Assignment of the Environment of Lake Abant to the Bolu Special Provincial Administration was enacted. This occurred even before the passage of Türkiye’s first tourism-specific legislation, the Law on the Encouragement of Tourism Establishments (Law No. 5647, dated 24 March 1950). The former is arguably the most critical milestone in the area’s transformation into a formally recognised tourism destination. In subsequent years, investments led by the Türkiye Tourism Bank improved the area’s infrastructure. Over time, the area was granted various protection statuses, designated as a “Nature Park” in 1988 and, more recently, a “National Park” in 2022. In conclusion, the historical transformation of Lake Abant into a nature-based tourism destination stands as a compelling example of the effectiveness of Türkiye’s domestic tourism policies and local governance.