Ecology & Safety, Volume 17, 2023

Abstract: Türkiye's surface area consists of approximately 78% mountainous areas. Mountainous areas are generally low population density and unsuitable for settlement. The areas where the imbalances between regions in terms of development are most intense are mountainous areas. Nature-based tourism is one of the prominent sectors with the aim of proper management of mountain resources and socio-economic development of the rural people. Mountain communities can use sustainable tourism initiatives that natural resources as an outlet to create new job opportunities, develop on-site, improve infrastructure opportunities, solve environmental and social problems and reduce their effects. In line with the nature- based tourism opportunities offered by mountainous areas, plans and specific policies can be created. It is necessary to identify the groups that are affected by the plans carried out in the planning process, to classify these defined groups according to their contributions, and to identify and analyze the stakeholders on how all this information can improve the nature-based tourism activities and the wellbeing level of rural communities living in mountainous areas. Within the scope of the study, all stakeholders that may be relevant within the framework of nature- based tourism activities in marginalized mountainous areas in Türkiye were determined on a local, regional, national, European and global scale. The interests, behaviors and intentions of each stakeholder were evaluated. Universities, research centres, and companies, SMEs, NGOs, etc. are some of the identified stakeholders in tourism activities on marginalized mountainous areas and vulnerable ecosystems.