Assessing Spatial Suitability for Tourism-Oriented Accommodation Using GIS and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis: A Case Study of Demre, Türkiye

Unplanned urbanization has hindered the full utilization of Demre district’s tourism potential. This study integrates natural and cultural factors using a systematic, multi-criteria planning approach to identify spatially suitable areas for tourism-oriented accommodation facilities in Demre. Data was obtained from open-access geographic sources. The weights of nine criteria—slope, aspect, elevation, land use, proximity to roads and water resources, ecological value, infrastructure availability, and accessibility—were determined through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) based on expert judgment. A weighted overlay analysis was performed in ArcGIS to produce suitability maps. The analysis revealed that 0.03% of the total area exhibits high suitability, 71.26% is suitable, 13.65% is moderately suitable, and 0.03% is of low suitability. Southeastern areas of the district were identified as optimal for tourism-oriented accommodation facilities due to favorable topography, accessibility, and minimal ecological constraints. These findings provide a scientifically grounded framework to guide policymakers and urban planners in enhancing tourism potential while conserving ecological and cultural values.