Abstract

Thermal tourism is a significant tourism type, which helps to improve people’s health condition by providing a complementary therapy and also allows many recreational activities for the visitors. This study aims to search the existing tourism potential of Çankiri Çavundur thermal resources and make some recommendations with a comprehensive planning approach for the development of the region. Çankiri, Çavundur Thermal Region, is analyzed to make an inventory for tourism; public surveys are applied both in Çankırı and Ankara to reveal the recognition and use of the site. For the improvement of tourism developments in the region suggestions are made in relation to planning and management of the resources. It is seen that if the Çankiri Çavundur thermals; Çankiri’s historical and cultural sites, assets and Ilgaz winter tourism area are integrated in a tour rout and introduced as a variety of opportunities, the popularity of Çankiri region would increase and it would make an important contribution to Çankiri’s rural development.

Key words: Tourism, thermal tourism, Çankiri, Çavundur, Turkey.