TTYD President Oya Narin: “We Can Become a Global Power in Thermal Health Tourism”

Oya Narin, who stated that it is possible to achieve the success achieved in coastal tourism in the field of thermal tourism, said, “We are 1st in Europe and 4th in the world in terms of geothermal resources; and 3rd in the world in terms of spa applications. However, we are not yet at the desired level in terms of converting this wealth into tourism income. This potential we have can enable us to get a much larger share of global wellness tourism.”

Oya Narin, President of the Turkish Tourism Investors Association (TTYD), spoke at the session titled Thermal Tourism at the International Geothermal Investment Summit held in Ürgüp on May 2025, 9, within the scope of the International Geothermal Investment Summit (IGIS 2025). In the panel moderated by JEMYAD President Ömer Tosun; Oya Narin, Relaix Chateaux Network Development Manager Giulia Devietti Goggia, and MRP Hotels Partner Mustafa Özdemir were the speakers. Oya Narin, who drew attention to the potential of Türkiye in the field of thermal tourism in the panel, pointed out that it has not yet reached a sufficient level in terms of transforming this wealth into economic value.

“Türkiye is not getting enough share from wellness tourism”

Underlining that Türkiye has the capacity to take a much larger share in global wellness tourism with its thermal potential, Oya Narin said:

“Türkiye has become one of the world’s top five destinations with its success in coastal tourism. We are also ranked 1st in Europe and 4th in the world in terms of geothermal resources; and 3rd in the world in terms of spa applications. Our annual income from thermal tourism is around 700 million dollars.

According to the Global Wellness Economy Report 2024 data; The total size of the global wellness economy reached 2023 trillion dollars in 6,3, 830 billion dollars of which came from wellness tourism and 63 billion dollars from thermal tourism. 2023 - 2028 Between 10,2 and 9,2, wellness tourism is expected to grow by XNUMX% and thermal tourism by XNUMX% annually.

While the US is the leader in wellness tourism with over $300 billion in revenue, Turkey ranks 8,7th with a volume of $16 billion. Germany generates 50% of the thermal revenues in Europe, while Turkey, which has much greater potential, should get its fair share of this market.

“We Must Successfully Realize the Facility Development Initiative in Thermal Tourism”

As of 2023, there is a total capacity of 33.500 thermal beds in Türkiye. With the addition of 2024 new facilities in 9 and 2025 new facilities in 15, a total bed capacity of 7.500 will be reached. This area offers a great investment opportunity.

“An Investment Model Specific to Türkiye Should Be Designed”

In 2024, a total of 2,4 million guests were hosted in thermal facilities, and these visits reached 4,7 million overnight stays. 656 thousand foreign visitors spent 1,2 million overnight stays. At this point, the German model should be examined and an investment model specific to our country that includes Türkiye's cultural and geographical advantages should be designed.

“Investment and Financial Support are Required to Become a Global Center of Attraction”

Stating that Türkiye’s geothermal resources are mainly concentrated in the Aegean Region, but spread to many regions, especially Central Anatolia, Narin concluded his words by saying, “Especially the 4th, 5th and 6th incentive regions offer great opportunities with both their resource potential and natural and cultural values. Investment and financing support are very important in order to become a global center of attraction; in order for Türkiye to become a global center of attraction in thermal health tourism, it is of great importance that investments in this area are implemented in a healthy and sustainable manner. In this direction, financing models need to be diversified and support mechanisms for investors need to be strengthened.”

Source: HORECA TREND and Turkish Tourism Investors Association (TTYD)