Prof. Dr. Bertan, Best Tourism Village Nominees: "Denizli-Attouda Ancient City and Hisar Village"
In an interview with Pamukkale University (PAU) Faculty of Tourism Dean Prof. Dr. Serkan Bertan about Denizli Attouda Ancient City and Hisar Village, he drew attention to the natural and cultural diversity of Attouda Ancient City and Hisar Village in Sarayköy and underlined that it is very advantageous in terms of its potential to be the 'Best Tourism Village' in terms of its local values and activities.
Pointing out that it is very important for Attouda Ancient City to participate in the 'Best Tourism Village' initiative network of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to increase the number of tourist visitors in Denizli and for sustainable development, PAU Tourism Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Serkan Bertan said: "The Best Tourism Villages initiative promotes rural destinations that provide support to local businesses and traditions, focus on tourism development in line with sustainable development goals, and create opportunities in rural areas; It includes villages with cultural and natural assets, exemplary destinations for rural tourism, preserving and promoting rural and community-based values, products and lifestyle, and committed to innovation and sustainability in all aspects of economic, social and environmental. Mustafapaşa (Nevşehir), Taraklı (Sakarya), Birgi (İzmir) and Şirince (İzmir) were included in the "Best Tourism Villages" list, while Cumalıkızık (Bursa), Anıtlı (Mardin), Üçağız (Antalya) and Kemaliye (Erzircan) were selected for the best tourism village development program."
Prof. Dr. Bertan stated that in order to apply for the Best Tourism Village Initiative, the village should have a maximum population of 15,000, be located in an area where traditional activities such as agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry or fishing continue, share community values and lifestyle, have cultural and natural resources, promote and protect cultural resources, sustainability (economic, social, environmental), tourism development and value chain integration, tourism governance and prioritization, infrastructure and connectivity, health, safety and security criteria.
Dean Bertan: "There are studies on the protection and promotion of cultural values in the village"
Prof. Dr. Bertan: "The Ancient City of Attouda and Hisar Village, located on the hill east of Mount Salbakos, was declared a Grade I "Archaeological Site" in 1988, "Attouda Museum" was established in 1963, and "Grade I Urban Archaeological Site" was declared in 2013. Attouda Ancient City and Hisar Village, where there are values belonging to many periods, has been inhabited since the IInd century BC. There are Mercan Dede Tomb, Hisar Village Mosque, Mill, Village Room, Cooperative Building, Teacher's houses, Historical village coffee house and Gazi Primary School. Studies are carried out on the protection and promotion of cultural values in the village. In addition, surface research is carried out by the Department of Archaeology of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of PAU."
Prof. Dr. Bertan pointed out that for the best tourism village initiative road map, first of all, an inventory study should be carried out, and in the next stage, with the coordination of public institutions and organizations, non-governmental organizations, everyone should cooperate with common sense within the scope of participatory methods with a holistic perspective, and the criteria for the application of the best tourism villages initiative should be evaluated. Dean Prof. Dr. Bertan: "With the evaluation of Attouda Ancient City and Hisar Village within the scope of the best tourism villages initiative network, rural development will be ensured, on-site and online trainings will take place, national and international recognition will increase, awareness will be raised, population loss in the village will decrease and return to the village will be ensured, innovation and digitalization will increase, access to financing will be easier, investments will increase, local products will develop, innovations in value chain integration will increase, more efficient use of resources will be ensured and sustainable practices will increase."
