Abstract:

Health Tourism has increased its importance in recent years as a sector that contributes to the country’s economy and well-being economically and socially. Health tourism, which is in development in Turkey in recent years, is seen as an important alternative tourism in terms of the service area if it is necessary for a source of income. This study addressed health tourism and varieties, the current situation in Elazığ on health tourism was identified and the strengths and weaknesses of Elazığ in terms of health tourism and the opportunities and threats were assessed. In light of these assessments, it has been observed that the region has a serious potential for thermal tourism, which is a hand of health tourism. In addition, the study has presented a series of recommendations that should be made on the development and preferability of health tourism in order to attract both health tourists to the Elazığ province.

Keywords:

Abstract:

The importance of health tourism has been increasing as a sector contributing to the national economy and wellfare in terms of its economic and social aspect in the recent years. Health tourism which showing the development especially in Turkey in recent years is stands out as an important alternative tourism both in terms of income source and service area. In this study, by considering health tourism and its types, the current situation in Elazig about health tourism was determined and the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of Elazig in terms of health tourism were evaluated. In the light of these evaluations, it was observed that thermal tourism, which is a branch of health tourism, has a serious potential. In addition, in the study, a number of suggestions to be made both in order to attract health tourists to Elazig province and about the development and preferability of health tourism were made.