Türkiye Targets $20 Billion From Thermal Tourism Sector
Türkiye Targets $20 Billion From Thermal Tourism
Türkiye is strengthening its position in global health tourism and has set an ambitious goal to generate $20 billion in revenue from thermal tourism. The country is already ranked among the top five health tourism destinations worldwide and continues to expand its capabilities in this rapidly growing sector.
Global thermal tourism is currently valued at around $100 billion, and Türkiye aims to significantly increase its share of this market by improving infrastructure and diversifying its services.
Strong Growth Projections
In 2024, Türkiye earned approximately $3 billion from thermal tourism. The government now plans to increase this figure nearly sevenfold by 2028, highlighting the strategic importance of the sector for the national economy.
Authorities are focusing on high-potential areas within health tourism, particularly thermal destinations, by enhancing service quality and investing in modern facilities.
New Well-Being Strategy
Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu announced that the government is preparing comprehensive “well-being legislation.” This new approach will expand the scope of health tourism beyond treatment-based services to include preventative care and lifestyle improvement.
“The goal is to position Türkiye not only as a destination for patients but also for those seeking holistic well-being.”
Untapped Geothermal Potential
Türkiye has significant untapped potential in thermal tourism. Currently, only about half of its geothermal resources are developed into active facilities, leaving room for major expansion.
Despite this, current revenues remain relatively modest—around $300 million—compared to well-established European markets, where thermal tourism can generate up to $10 billion annually.
Regional Development Plans
To bridge this gap, the government has launched new initiatives in six provinces:
- Erzurum
- Sivas
- Rize
- Nevşehir
- Samsun
- Bolu
These regions are being integrated into a unified “thermal cities route,” designed to attract international tourists and encourage long-term investment.
Economic Impact and Global Position
The initiative is expected to boost annual revenue by approximately $1 billion in the near future, while also strengthening Türkiye’s position in the global health tourism market.
Health tourism is a rapidly expanding global industry, including multiple segments:
- Medical tourism — valued at $100 billion
- Thermal tourism — valued at $98 billion
- Elderly tourism — valued at $70 billion
- Wellness tourism — valued at approximately $1.2 trillion
Located on a major geothermal belt, Türkiye is home to more than 1,000 thermal springs and ranks among the top seven countries in the world for both the quality and abundance of its thermal resources.
