Abstract
Kazdaglari (Mount Ida) is one of the important mountain chains situated on the provincial borders of
Çanakkale and Balikesir, on the South of Biga peninsula. Part of the region, which possesses rich
resources in terms of natural and cultural aspects, within the borders of Edremit District of Balikesir
Province has been announced as a “National Park”. National Park and its immediate surroundings
demonstrate quite rapid developments for tourism perspectives because of diversity and visual value of
natural and cultural resources owned. For this reason, prevalence of ecotourism understanding and to
realize investments with this goal is very important for a sustainable use of resources of the National
Park and its vicinity. In this study, the eco-tourism potentials of Pınarbaşı (Uçurumoba), Beyoba,
Mehmetalan and Kızılkeçili villages in terms of their natural and cultural resources are determined.
These villages in Balıkesir-Edremit are the nearest settlements to the Kazdaglari National Park entrance.
It is determined that these settlements have the potential to meet all the needs of the users who are
interested in the natural and rural areas and therefore head for the national park. When the area is
opened to tourism after ensuring the development of ecotourism activities in these settlements, not
only the natural and cultural values will be protected but the locals will also be provided with an
alternative source of income.
Key words: Kazdaglari (Mt. Ida), ecotourism, natural and cultural environment, protection.
