Evaluation of the economic effects of thermal tourism in terms of regional development: The case of Kütahya

The aim of this study is to examine the place and importance of thermal tourism activities in the economy of Kütahya in a detailed and analytical manner. By determining the economic characteristics of thermal tourism in the province it is aimed to meet to statistical data requirement required for researchers, business manager, politicians and investors. Our study covers the province of Kütahya and the districts where thermal resources are located in this contex, it has been limited to the expenditures of tourists staying in touristic enterprises vestment certificates in the region and doing touristic activities . İn addition, one to one interviews were mde with the people who are important in terms of their titles in the region and the situation and what can be done about the thermal tourism arca were evaluated today, the understanding of tourism has changed depending on the living standards. Increasing health problems in recent years and with the pandemic conditions we are experiencing, the aging of the world population, has increased the interest in thermal tourism, which is one of the alternative tourism types. Joining the tourism movement with the healing thermal waters of Kütahya province, creating investment-oriented employment in the city, increase in the income of the provinc, With the improvement of infrastructure-superstructure, imbalances between regions will be shaped through thermal tourism. With the improvement of infrastructuresuperstructure, imbalances between regions will be shaped through thermal tourism. Our study aims to examine the effect of thermal tourism potential of Kütahya, wich was declared a thermal tourism region in 2006, on the development of the region.With the survey contucted with visitors , indicators have been obtained in issues such as their income, in interviews dividuals, academics, businesses, local administrations and non-governmental organizations, the contribution to the region, economic income, customer potential evaluation and regional plans for the future were made to reveal the situation of the region.