Winter Tourism Route in Aladağlar

Abstract

Mountain regions have increasingly gained strategic importance not only for tourism development but also for the restructuring of agricultural policies and rural economies. Located at the intersection of Central and Southern Anatolia, the Aladağlar Mountain Range has traditionally been associated with summer mountaineering and nature-based activities, while its winter tourism potential has remained largely underexplored. This article examines the development of winter tourism routes in Aladağlar within the framework of agricultural policy transformation, rural development, and sustainability. It argues that winter tourism should be conceptualized not merely as an alternative tourism product but as a complementary policy instrument that supports agricultural income diversification, mitigates seasonal vulnerability, and strengthens rural resilience. By adopting a policy-oriented analytical approach, the study highlights how integrated winter tourism routes can contribute to regional development objectives while aligning with sustainable land-use and climate adaptation strategies.