Belek Plants
The dimensions of tourism are now far beyond what it used to be as "sun and fun" tourism, both of which can be found in any part of the earth. The new dimensions of tourism covers what is now called "ecotourism", which involves close contact with nature and biological diversity of the visited regions. Since each region has its own typical landscape, unique plants, butterflies, birds and other organisms, informed tourists want to see and enjoy these natural heritage of a region they visit.

Indeed, resources and services that provide comfort to the people are easily available in any part of the earth. Even further, the historical remains can be transported overseas, and are exhibited for the amusement of people; as, for example, the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. However, natural resources related to biological diversity are unique to each locality on the earth. They cannot be transported without disturbing their original forms, beauties and ecological unity.

Antalya region, which in unique in its climate and geography, is exceptionally rich in its historical, natural and biological resources. One can see palm-covered beaches and snow-capped mountains side by side in the region. Deep gloomy canyons and towering bright peaks all lie adjacent to each other in this area. Fertile plains covered by vigorous citrus orchards on the one hand, and rocky slopes spotted by undemanding juniper trees on the other, exhibit unusual contrasts of nature in the Antalya region. You can observe colourful domestic daffadils with their wild relatives growing side by side in the region. Tourists come to our region, not only for swimming at the golden shores and visiting historical treasures, but also for observing unique plant and animal species to enjoy endless beauty o nature.

Most touristic establishments give priority only to those facility that provides physical comfort to their visitors. Yet, such comfort providing facilitiy is easily available almost anywhere on earth.

Index of Latin Names
Travellers - whether native or foreign - are interested not only in warm hospitality they could receive, but also in stimulating cultural, historical and natural environments. Belek and the surrounding area is one of the most attractive tourism centers in Turkiye. At present there are 25 large hotels, with accommodation capacity of 20,000 guest at a time. Thousands of native any foreign tourists visit the region each year - either as vacationers, congress participants, honeymooners, nature lovers, tourist guides, businessmen/women... Travellers in Belek find not only the utmost physical comforts a vacationer may need, but also very rich cultural, historical and natural diversities of the region. BETUYAB (Belek Tourism Investors Association) is one of the few establishments that timely recognises the merits of ecotourism, and gives due attention for the sound development and sustainability of biological diversity in Belek as well as the whole Antalya district. The first step along this line is the understanding of the most influential elements of nature, since they provide many vital services to other onganisms (oxygen, food, shelter, medicine.. ) and maintain the overall balance of an ecosystem (perventign soil erosion, regulating climate and water regime.. )