The contribution of Antalya province to national income in health tourism in comparison with Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir provinces

The number of patients coming to Turkey to receive health care is increasing every year. Treatment services are offered to overseas patients in many branches and specialties, especially the prominent areas such as eye surgeries, dental treatment, hair transplantation, plastic and aesthetic surgery, cardiology, oncology, gynaecology and paediatrics. Thanks to health tourism, foreign currency is brought into the country's economy. In this research, the contribution of health tourism to the income of the country is discussed. In this context, in the research, first a literature review was conducted on health tourism, and then the data of TUIK and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism were examined in order to evaluate the current situation of health tourism in Antalya, Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. With the data collected, the advantages, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the provinces in terms of health tourism were evaluated. Antalya is one of the cities that attract the most tourists in Turkey. Antalya is a rich destination in terms of both coastal and cultural tourism. Istanbul is the most important and most visited city in Turkey in terms of cultural tourism. Istanbul attracts tourists with its historical, cultural and natural beauties. Ankara is the capital of Turkey and a centrally located city. Ankara is an important destination for cultural and thermal tourism. Ankara has strengths such as qualified and well-known hospitals, high technological equipment, international airport, important cultural heritage such as Anıtkabir, and well-established medical faculties. Izmir is located in the Aegean region of Turkey and is an important city in terms of coastal tourism. Izmir is home to world-famous coastal tourism destinations such as Alaçatı and Çeşme. Izmir has strengths such as qualified and well-known hospitals, high technological equipment, an international airport, the Aegean Sea, and a port where cruise ships dock. Among all these provinces, Istanbul is by far the province that attracts the most tourists in terms of health tourism. It is followed by Ankara, Izmir and Antalya.