Determination of the thermal tourism potential of geothermal resources in Muş province (sample thermal facility design)

Muş province, with its natural conditions significantly influencing human activities, is one of the economically underdeveloped regions in our country. Despite having one of the largest plains in the country, the long winters limit the agricultural utilization of the plain. This ancient city of Anatolia is not located on important trade routes, and the decreasing population due to migrations also negatively affects the development of the province. The restrictive nature of both natural and human conditions necessitates investments in the province to be based on its dynamics. Therefore, proper utilization of the natural and human characteristics of the province can contribute to the development of sectors such as tourism, agriculture, livestock, and mining through projects that take these characteristics into account. By creating new job opportunities, it can contribute to the development of the province or region, supporting the strengthening of the local economy and, in turn, the overall development. This can also assist in preserving cultural heritage and bring about social and cultural improvement. The region where Muş province is located falls within the Eastern Anatolian compressional tectonic zone, known as the convergence of the North Anatolian Fault (NAF) and the East Anatolian Fault (EAF), extending from the east of the Karlıova basin where the northern Pontids and the southern edge curls of the Bitlis-Zagros Knot Belt are located. This situation brings significant geothermal resource wealth to the province. In recent years, many investments have been made in Muş province for this energy source, and research activities are underway. Most of these investments are aimed at the use of hot fluids for bathing purposes in thermal tourist facilities. Many existing facilities are not sustainable with their current structures and fall far below their potentials. For this reason, this study aims to determine how a thermal facility should be in terms of sustainability, drawing on correct examples from around the world and our country. Thus, a general thermal facility model for the region and the province is attempted to be proposed. It is believed that this will correctly guide the increasing interest in thermal facility investments. Planning thermal facilities to be structures where people can spend more time beyond accommodation, and recycling the fluid taken from the system after being utilized in various areas are crucial factors for the sustainability of geothermal resources in the province.