New Horizons July 2018 | Page 18

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5- Kuyucak Village - Isparta

You do not need to go to Provence, France to see the lavender fields of attractive purple landscape. Kuyucak village of Isparta produces 93% of all lavender in Turkey. The project “Lavender Scented Village” supported by Future is in Tourism aimed to revive rural tourism in Isparta, ensure that local people earn income, and mobilize the employment and entrepreneurship potential in the region. As a first step in that direction, a study visit was organised to Provence, France as an example of rural tourism to serve as a model. The Lavender Scented Village Women Entrepreneurs Cooperative was established. Training was delivered to women on area promotion, cooperativism, rural tourism, souvenir making etc. Before the project, there were no visitors to the area, where after the project 20,000 visited in 2016 and 140,000 in summer 2017.

www.lavantakokulukoy.com

Where?

It is 135 km from Isparta, 200 km from Antalya.

When to visit?

Time to sight-see lavender fields is restrict. Lavenders start to become purple about end June, and remain purple through July. Harvest starts about August. You can visit the area both to witness harvest and sight-see the fascinating colours of the fields. The best time is the first or second week of July to see the lavenders in their most beautiful form.