» IBE Travel » Our Contribution to Fair Tourism » The Macahel region as biosphere reserve

Ecotourism: Profits for both nature and humans

The Turkish Nation along with 16 other European countries declared the Macahel region as biosphere reserve. An apiary with its own apiculture that is capable of obtaining honey from a special Caucasian species has been setup thanks to the support of the TEMA-foundation for nature conservation. This effectuated a specialization for the production of honey and the breeding of queen bees among the native people, who as a consequence turned their backs to forestry. Thus, the forest is protected, the indigenous people developed a new source of revenue and where able to conveyance a natural, regional product. Honey is only being seeled in this county and to that effect much in demand.

Because of the geographical isolation the people of that region live to a 100% only from indigenous production biologically cultivated. There is no application of fertilizer and corn, hazelnut, etc. grown without any usage of genetically altered seeds. The local diversity of traditionally fabricated regional products is unique not only in Turkey.

In the past years there has been already set the course for ecotourism, unfortunately a lot is still done for children's shoes. Teenagers don't see any future for themselves in their villages and accordingly leave for bigger cities. Hence, the Macahel region needs to be protected not only as an ecosystem but as social system, too.

• Sustainable ecotourism means: we want to learn more about nature and therefore have to be responsible for its preservation.
• We also want to find out about the indigenous people and their culture in their ancestral environment and that's why we have to care for the adolescents and their future perspectives in life. Hotels and conventional tourism would only destroy the back to the basics experience. Thus, we travel alternative paths: as temporary guests you will get to know how your Turkish hosts live and actively dive into their world. In short: as we are losers capable of learning from our mistakes we should not repeat the worldwide errors made before us and idealistically bring that region forward and protect it through our offer.

Against mass tourism, back to nature

In the Macahel region you won't find any 5-star-hotels since it is not a place for mass tourism: it's hard to get there and there are long, tough winters. People, who wish to enjoy pure, untouched nature and the calmness that comes along with it, will always come back! The restrictions of this coarse territory are simultaneously its advantages and make it unique.

it's a great chance, that thanks to the advantageous combination of multiple factors, a vast piece of land has been preserved. Get to know this territory. No matter if it's just the two of you, along with friends or family – Macahel will extent your treasure trove of experience and knowledge, especially because it differs that much from modern life.