From Thermal Tourism to a Thermal Health Ecosystem: A Global Opportunity for Türkiye

A new vision can bring Türkiye’s geothermal wealth together with preventive healthcare, healthy ageing, science and technology.

Behlül Ünver

Countries increasingly compete to create ecosystems offering healthier lives, alongside attracting patients. Türkiye possesses a strategic asset whose full potential remains unrealised: geothermal resources.

The WHO Decade of Healthy Ageing, 2021–2030, places quality of life and the effects of population ageing among global priorities. UN projections indicate that the population aged 65 and above will approximately double by 2050. Prevention, rehabilitation and healthy ageing therefore require a stronger place in healthcare.

The world is moving towards longer, healthier and better lives. This changes health tourism. Are Türkiye’s greatest opportunities solely in modern hospitals, or also in its extraordinary geothermal heritage?

The challenge is integrating natural wealth with science, technology, prevention and healthy ageing to create added value. I call this approach a “Thermal Health Ecosystem.”

A New Era in Health Tourism

Twenty years ago, surgery, dentistry and aesthetics dominated perceptions. Today, people seek prevention, quality of life and delayed effects of ageing. Demographics, WHO priorities and the expanding wellness economy support this transformation.

Hospitals, rehabilitation centres, thermal facilities, digital platforms, AI and preventive services will work together. Health tourism’s future rests on this holistic approach.

Türkiye’s Quiet Strength: Geothermal Wealth

Türkiye ranks among the world’s leading countries and has Europe’s richest geothermal resource potential. Natural hot springs offer opportunities for rehabilitation, chronic disease management, sports medicine, elderly health and prevention.

Afyonkarahisar, Kütahya, Denizli, Yalova, Balıkesir, Bursa, Sivas and many other provinces can compete internationally. Infrastructure, professionals, experienced physicians, year-round climate and location add strength.

At the intersection of three continents, Türkiye can differentiate globally. But are we turning that potential into international value?

A New Approach to Geothermal Resources

Quality accommodation, spas and pools matter, yet future visitors also expect assessment, risk identification, scientifically developed personalised programmes and digital follow-up at home.

The value offered is healthier living, better ageing, stronger function and sustainable health management.

A thermal health ecosystem can also support medical technology, digital health, biotechnology, university–industry cooperation, insurance, regional development and investment.

The Ecosystem Model

The thermal resource is the starting point. Value emerges through hospitals, universities, research centres, rehabilitation units, functional medicine, nutrition, psychological support, digital platforms, AI decision support and wearable technologies.

Competition will increasingly be between ecosystems.

AI and Digital Health

In the proposed future model, AI-supported systems analyse genetic predisposition, metabolism, chronic disease risks, movement, nutrition and sleep. Physicians, physiotherapists, dietitians, psychologists and exercise specialists prepare personalised plans on a shared platform. Remote follow-up continues after return home.

International Lessons

German thermal facilities integrate with rehabilitation and insurance. Japan’s onsen culture forms part of healthy living. Hungary has developed an international thermal brand, while South Korea is beginning to connect digital technology and thermal applications.

These examples suggest that scientific and institutional systems matter alongside resources. Centres can conduct research, partner with universities, integrate insurance and measure outcomes.

Türkiye should develop its own model from its natural resources, infrastructure and culture.

A Scenario for 2035

With sound planning, Afyon could become a European rehabilitation hub; Denizli a longevity and healthy ageing centre; Yalova a university-supported research base; Kütahya a sports rehabilitation centre; Balıkesir a chronic disease rehabilitation hub; and Sivas Kangal a thermal destination for people with psoriasis.

AI assessment, digital follow-up, research centres, biotechnology ventures, university partnerships and insurance arrangements could support these clusters. This is a proposed future scenario.

A Road Map for Türkiye

• Develop a national thermal health strategy.

• Align health and tourism policies.

• Engage universities and research centres.

• Expand publications and clinical studies.

• Strengthen international accreditation.

• Extend digital health and AI applications.

• Build insurance partnerships.

• Standardise healthy ageing programmes.

• Create regional clusters.

• Develop a strong global thermal health brand.

These measures can support technology, science, investment and professional development.

The question is whether we can combine this heritage with science and human-centred care to create an exemplary ecosystem.

Türkiye’s real wealth includes the capacity to unite resources with infrastructure, people, knowledge and innovation. The opportunity extends to international cooperation, high-value services, scientific development and competitiveness.

The objective should be an ecosystem identified with trust, quality and science in prevention, rehabilitation and healthy ageing.

Success should include the value facilities add to health, research and reputation. Geothermal resources can become a strategic component of future healthcare.

Future competition will favour those turning resources into the greatest value. It will be competition between health ecosystems.

Behlül Ünver President, World Health Tourism Platform

The views in this article offer strategic assessments of Türkiye’s health tourism and international healthcare policies, aiming to contribute new perspectives and a shared future vision.