Integration of thermal tourism and physiotherapy and rehabilitation in health tourism in Turkey

Turkey has a long history in the use of thermal waters. Since the ancient Roman period, the healing properties of thermal waters have been discovered in many regions from Cappadocia to Denizli, from Afyonkarahisar to Bursa. It has a rich resource potential in terms of geothermal energy and thermal tourism. Geothermal resources are an important resource not only for thermal tourism but also for energy production. Thermal tourism, which extends over a wide range of history from today to ancient times and is considered health tourism, is considered one of the important pillars of alternative tourism. The Romans saw that the wounds of the soldiers who were injured and worn out in the war were healed quickly by entering the hot spring water and they gained their strength in a short time, and they established important facilities on healing water wherever they went. Thermal tourism or spa tourism; It is defined as a tourism movement that includes various types of methods such as mineralized thermal water bath, drinking, inhalation and mud bath, as well as supportive treatments such as climate cure, physical therapy, rehabilitation, exercise, psychotherapy and diet. Turkey has many underground hot water resources due to its geographical structure and geomorphological features. It has a rich melt and mineral structure. There are over 600 thermal sources, especially above 20 °C. It is thought that there will be more than 1200 sources, including undetected sources. With this feature, Turkey, which ranks among the top in Europe in terms of resources, will be used at a higher rate in health tourism, as well as introducing a combined treatment approach by integrating physical therapy and rehabilitation for outpatients and inpatients in the cures to be applied, and health tourism will provide significant gains. Physiotherapy is an important health discipline that offers a wide range of treatments, from musculoskeletal problems to neurological disorders. All applications in physiotherapy treatment modalities can be applied smoothly and at high quality standards in thermal facilities. Integration of these two areas allows patients to receive more comprehensive and effective healthcare. As a result, the use of thermal skis for physiotherapy and rehabilitation purposes will support not only physical health but also mental and emotional well-being. The main purpose of this thesis is to investigate how thermal springs in Turkey can be used effectively in health tourism, especially in physiotherapy and rehabilitation, and how this potential can be introduced to a wider audience.