@article{2017,title={APPROACH TO TOURISM IN RURAL DEVELOPEMENT PROGRAMS: THE CASE STUDY OF BASILICATA REGION, ITALY},abstractNode={Rural tourism is an important factor that improves sustainability and development of the regions. However, it is not easy for every region to make possible sustainable rural tourism activities. In other words the process needs a strategic rural development program. This study examines the Rural Development Program (RDP) approach to tourism through the example of Basilicata region of Italy which has a high level of rural areas and is the third region in line among the regions close to city centres in terms of the highest number of nights spent by the domestic tourists. Particularly, some important components, in accordance with the development process, have been mentioned in terms of rural tourism and components which are related to development of regional tourism intensity. Furthermore, evaluation of the RDP's contribution on the regional development in terms of economic and social aspects and its requirements were examined in the study through the related statistics and literature review.},author={Merve BAŞ},year={2017},journal={The Journal of Academic Social Science}}