Turkey aims to utilize nation”s thermal wealth for tourism purposes, but must invest $800 million to attain its goal. The sector is expected to be a huge money-earner in a decade Turkey Geothermal association President and international Geothermal association World Vice-President Orhan Mertoğlu stated that Turkey were among the best seven in the world with its thermal riches. Mertoğlu emphasized that the approximately 1,300 underground waters in Turkey are unique with their physical and chemical properties and are superior to most thermal springs in the world. Mertoğlu said that the Aegean region will profit $10 billion if it invested in thermal tourism.
According to Mertoğlu the Aegean region has an approximate share of 75 percent in Turkey”s thermal tourism. “$10 billion incomes out of $13 billion, which we estimated for Turkey, will pertain to Aegean Region. Yet, to obtain this we have to establish hundreds of institutions similar to the one in Balçova just like Italy and Germany does. This advantage, which is a great luck for the Aegean region, is a geothermal source, not energy alone. Thermal tourism is sufficient to advance the Aegean all alone with its wide range of usage.”
Investing $800 million
Mertoğlu also underlined that Turkey had to invest $800 million to obtain the goals of 2013 thermal tourism. “It is possible to turn some hotels in geothermal areas into spa hotels,” said Mertoğlu and pointed Edremit, Dikili, Aliağa, Çeşme, Seferihisar, Didim, Bodrum and Fethiye.
Reminding of the geothermal law, Mertoğlu said that the geothermal drillings, researches and infrastructure investments should be carried out by the governorship and MTA yet the administration should be left to the private sector.
All-curing springs:
Aegean region and İzmir leads the head with the hot spring resorts which are alone enough to advance the region with spa & thermal tourism. Located in the Aegean region, that takes the lead in Turkey with its hot springs, İzmir Balçova Thermal Institution, Çeşme- Şifne, Ilıca and İçmeler, Balıkesir Gönen Hot Springs, Çanakkale Ezine Kestanbol Thermal Springs, Denizli Pamukkale Thermal Springs, Muğla, Köyceğiz, Sultaniye Hot Springs are all-curing miracles. The healing springs help to cure many like rheumatism, digestive system disorders, eye, liver, gall bladder, urinal system and nervous system disorders, as well as skin, circulation and heart diseases.
Domestic News – Resource: Turkish daily news
