Rethinking sustainability pathways in forest-based recreation for tourism-linked environments in Turkey and Lithuania

The aim of the study is to comparatively examine the sustainability pathways that support the continuity of forest-based recreation areas in Turkey and Lithuania and, in light of the findings obtained, to develop a conceptual framework for sustainable forest-based recreation areas. In line with this aim, the study employed a case study design within the framework of qualitative research methods. Purposive sampling was used to identify the experts, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with a total of 40 experts from Turkey and Lithuania. The data obtained from the experts were analyzed through thematic content analysis. The findings indicate that, in both countries, sustainability cannot be explained solely through environmental protection; rather, it constitutes a multidimensional process shaped by governance capacity, inter-institutional cooperation, social values, user behaviors, financial adequacy, and digital infrastructure. In Turkey, weak monitoring, a lack of coordination, pressure resulting from intensive use, waste-related problems, and low environmental awareness emerge as the most prominent issues. In Lithuania, by contrast, concerns related to the ecological sensitivity of small and fragmented forest areas, balancing conservation and use, limited local capacity, and financial constraints are more pronounced. In addition, digital solutions were found to be important in both countries; however, in Turkey they are used primarily for operational monitoring and inspection, whereas in Lithuania they are more strongly associated with ecological protection and planning support. As a result, the study demonstrates that sustainability in forest-based recreation areas should be addressed through country-sensitive, multi-actor, and dynamic policy and management approaches.