A new package is being prepared regarding land allocations, which are one of the most important elements of tourism investments. The package will primarily include thermal tourism zones and regions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism had initiated allocations within the framework of the strategy it developed toward diversifying tourism and identifying new areas for mass tourism. It was learned that land allocations in accordance with the established strategy framework are on the agenda for the package to be announced in July.
It was stated that the allocation package will be announced by mid-July. Minister of Culture and Tourism Ertuğrul Günay had previously called on investors to invest in the thermal tourism sector in his earlier statements, noting that there is great potential in this field.
In accordance with the tourism strategy document, the Ministry had revealed in the Health and Thermal Tourism Master Plan that Türkiye is one of the countries with the largest thermal potential in the region.
In the master plan, it was stated that 20 percent of the population in Europe will consist of people over the age of 65 in 2025, and that there is an opportunity to attract thermal tourists not only for Europe but also for Turkey regarding Middle Eastern countries. Accordingly, there are more than 1,500 thermal waters in Turkey. While their mineral properties are seen as being at a superior level compared to European thermal waters, the development of health tourism, including in Northern Europe, increases Turkey's chances in this field.
In the master plan, regarding thermal tourism, it is stated that in addition to personal preferences, the phenomenon of companies and the public choosing Turkey to reduce expenses within the scope of health insurance in European countries is observed; in this context, it was noted that following Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, private insurance companies in Germany and the Netherlands have decided to cover the expenses of patients traveling to Turkey.
Regarding investments to be made for thermal and wellness tourism, it is recommended that they should not merely possess the character of a spa, but should be planned on a comprehensive scale, ensuring the integration of cure, accommodation, health, entertainment, and sports facilities within their structure.
Regarding thermal tourism, the Ministry has declared the South Aegean (Aphrodisias) Thermal Tourism Zone (İzmir, Manisa, Aydın, Denizli), South Marmara (Troy) Thermal Tourism Zone (Çanakkale, Balıkesir, Yalova), Phrygia Thermal Tourism Zone (Afyonkarahisar, Kütahya, Uşak, Eskişehir, Ankara), and Central Anatolia Thermal Tourism Zone (Yozgat, Kırşehir, Nevşehir, Niğde, Aksaray) regions. In the master plan, thermal tourism was determined as the main theme for the regions; however, in connection with this, it was aimed to integrate alternative tourism types such as thalassotherapy (sea cure) tourism, golf, nature tourism, water sports, etc., in the coastal regions and to associate them with other cultural and natural values in the immediate vicinity.
Within the scope of the regional approach, a total of 68 tourism centers have been included in the master plan. In the analysis conducted, Turkey's price advantage, healthcare infrastructure and doctor capacity, proximity to Europe and the Middle East, tourism experience—primarily regarding language—and trained human resources were listed as advantages. The master plan includes the goals of reaching a capacity of 50 thousand beds in priority regions in the short term and the establishment of joint companies between local governments and tourism investors. In the medium term, the goal is to increase the bed capacity to 200 thousand and to develop thermal tourism in the second regions.
Long-term goals were listed as making Türkiye the number one thermal destination in Europe, reaching 15 million tourists and 500 thousand beds. In accordance with the new incentive law, tourism investments are supported, and in provinces located in the 4th region of the incentive decree, allocation fees and annual payments can be up to 75 percent cheaper compared to investments in the 1st region. (Source: Turizm Gazetesi)