Because of Turkey’s location on top of a major geothermal belt, it is among in the top seven countries in the world for quality and quantity of thermal springs with over 1000, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 110ºC. Most are in the Marmara and Aegean regions and because of their proximity to popular travel destinations such as Istanbul, Izmir, Pamukkale and Marmaris, public transport is easy. Many of Turkey’s historical places developed because of their springs, like the ancient city of Hieropolis which was built upon the rich mineral springs of Pamukkale, and the ancient Lydian city of Kaunos, whose people took baths in the rich mineral mud of Lake Koycegiz.

GENERAL EVALUATION OF FOREIGN SPA RESORTS

Curative spa therapy means the application of medicinal waters for the treatment of people. Treatment constitutes a part of physiotherapy, that is to say the use of natural means in therapy. Spas have been known for a long time as a form of treatment. Most civilizations like the Romans, Greeks, Byzantines and the Ottoman knew the values of spa treatment. Many centers with curative spas function today throughout Europe and specifically in Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Russia, Hungary and the Czech Republic. Spa centers are also found in some Mediterranean countries like Tunisia, Morocco and Cyprus. The average period of stay of patients who come for treatment at the spa centers is between 15-20 days. CATEGORIES OF CURATIVE SPASA) Sulphurated Hydrogen springsB) Saltwater springsC) Sodium Chloride springsD) Alkaline springsE) Radioactive springsF) Simple acid springsG) Sulphur springs THERAPEUTIC INDICATIONS OF SPA THERAPYA) Neuralgia-NeuritisB) Acute and Chronic arthropathyC) Skin ComplaintsD) Respiratory ComplaintsE) GoutF) Gynecological complaintsG) Post-traumatic and post-operative complaintsH) Chronic fatigue strain CONTRA-INDICATIONS OF SPA THERAPYA) Advanced arteriosclerosisB) Recent brain malfunctionsC) Coronary deficienciesD) Hemorrhages of various organsE) Serious forms of diabeticsF) Malignant growthsG) Active TuberculosisI) Acute active rheumatic complaintsJ) Acute phase of respiratory diseases. CHARACTERISTIC APPLICATIONS OF CURATIVE SPASCurative spa therapy should certainly be under doctor’s examination and the accurate execution of his instructions.Preferably the temperatures of the waters should be 34-36, 36-38, and 40 degrees Celsius.Frequency of bath may range from 3-6 days per weekDuration of stay in water is15-20 minutes but in some waters it can be prolonged to 30-40 minutes.Bath may be taken once or twice daily.On the average the total number of baths per regimen is 15-20 times. The duration of a curative bath regimen is at least 2 weeks and at most 6 weeks.Enough water support should be maintainedWithout much movements the patient should remain upright or in a sitting position and shouldn’t swim in the thermal pool. If exercise is to be done in the water then it should be in waters of temperatures 34-35 degrees Celsius or below. At no time should exercise be done in a hot water. After bath the patient should certainly dry him/herself very well and at least rest for an hour under comforting thermal conditions in a room. After resting the patient can then participate in exercise or sports activities. GERMANYGermany has over 250-300 officially recognized spa and health resorts located throughout the country with over 7 million visitors in a year. In Germany, visiting health spas has been there since time immemorial and can therefore be considered as part of their culture. Until recently when the government decided to cut down its expenditure on health spas, every citizen was entitled to 4 weeks of spa vacation in every 3 years. The total cost of spa treatment depends on the disease being treated and normally varies with a 21 days treatment costing 2600-3000 euros,14 days treatment 1700-2200euros and 7-day treatment 900-1200 euros. Germany with one of the best health care systems in the world have always considered health and wellbeing as one of the basic needs of all humans and therefore do not feel the need to only live healthy but to also die healthy. In fact it is one of the very few countries, if not the only country where both the private and public schemes covers a range of cures offered by the more than 300 spa and health resorts with a doctors prescription. HUNGARYHungary which is considered as one of the most developed countries in this sector has over 120 centers of curative spas with full furnishing and infrastructure. The Romans, the Ottomans and most civilisations benefited from the curative spa centers of this country. 22% of foreign visitors to the country have these centers as their destination. Only Budapest has over 80 spa centers with more than half offering curative services. Every year thousands of patients with locomotive, lung, gynaecologic etc diseases come for treatment. The total cost (hotel accommodation inclusive) normally varies with a 7-day treatment costing 400-700 euros, 14-day treatment 800-2000euros, and a 21-day treatment 1400-2400 euros. With a doctor’s prescription, the social health insurance will pay for all or half of the curative services obtained at the spa centers. GREECECurative spa has been known for a very long time in this country. Some authorities even claim that it was originated from here this country. The great historian Herodotus, the father of medicine Hippocrates, and doctors like Herophilus,Agasthinios had made mention of these curative spas. Most of the centers are found on the sea shores. Visitors normally come to these centers in August and September and stay for an average period of 15-21 days. With a doctor’s prescription, the social health insurance will pay for all or half of the curative services obtained at the spa centers. ITALYItaly with over 200 curative spa centers has approximately 6 million people visiting these centers in a year and it provides a very important work and income for the country. The volcanic mountains in various part of the country are thought of as the main reason for the many spa centers in different parts of the country. These centers offer curative services for locomotive diseases, varicosis, obesity, skin diseases etc.With a doctor’s prescription, the social health insurance will pay for all or half of the curative services obtained at the spa centers. CZECH REPUBLIC AND SLOVAKIAUsing natural methods for treatments is known for a long time in these countries. Compared to Hungary and Greece, this country is new in this sector but the recent years have the establishment of very modern curative spa centers. The two countries have over 60 curative spa centers with an approximate figure of 500,000 visitors. 14-day spa treatment cost ranges from 950-1500 dollars but the prices are generally higher in summer. With a doctor’s prescription, the social health insurance will pay for all or half of the curative services obtained at the spa centers. OTHER COUNTRIESSpas are not evenly distributed in the world, although found in some parts of Asia and Africa is most common in Europe. The spa culture is well developed in eastern and southern Europe. Spas for a long time did not develop in England, northern Europe and America and in fact the trend still continues in the same way even today. Most probably the different climatic conditions have contributed to this uneven distribution. The spa centers found in England, northern Europe and America are mostly for resting than for therapeutic purposes. In this regard, England spend approximately 1 billion pounds in a year. Some parts of Russia have well developed spa centers with one in three Russians visiting these centers at least once in a year. Curative spas are common in Russia and the other Baltic states. Customers to these centers are mostly from Finland. Bulgaria has spa history that dates back to the olden days and has over 300 spa centers along the Mediterranean coast. It has hundreds of thousands of visitors in a year. The other Mediterranean countries like Tunisia, Morocco and Israel have spa centers. InSoutheastern Asia (India, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia) spa services are generally offered in very big and luxurious hotels. They are more of resting and self refreshment than therapeutic. Dr. Dursun AYDIN, MDPresident ofAssociation of Improving Health Tourism


Afyon City

Ömer and Gecek Thermal Resort

Location: North-west of Afyon, on the highway to Kutahya.
Transport: 15 km from Afyon. The nearest airport is in Isparta, 150 km south.
Water temperature: Between 51° - 98° C.
pH value: 6.5 - 7.3
Physical and chemical properties: Chlorine, bicarbonate, sodium, iron (4.9 mg/l), arsenic (l/15 mg/l.), carbon dioxide (423.1 mg/l.), metaboric acid (24.7 mg/l.), fluoride (4.32 mg/l.) and boron (10 mg/l.).
Recommended applications: Drinking, bathing and inhaling.
Helps to heal: Rheumatism, skin conditions, cardiovascular and digestive disorders, calcium deposits and aching joints, liver and gall bladder problems, eating and nervous disorders, gynaecological disorders.
Accommodation: Orucoglu Thermal Resort (4 star) - 428 beds. Omer Thermal Resort - 315 beds. Gecek Resort - 130 beds.

Gazlıgöl Thermal Resort
Location: 22km north of Afyon, on the highway to Eskisehir highway near Demiryolu.
Transportation: The nearest airport is in Isparta, 150 km south.
Water temperature: Between 40° - 71° C.
pH value: 6 - 7.5
Physical and chemical properties: Bicarbonate, sodium, hydrogen sulfide (3.75 mg/l.) and carbon dioxide (360 mg/l.), and metaboric acid (47.79 mg/l). Classified as hyperthermal (64°C) and hypertonic. br>
Helps to heal: Rheumatism, cardiovascular disorders, kidney and urinary tract conditions, liver-gall bladder dysfunction, disorders of digestive system and poor metabolism, calcium deposits and skin conditions.
Accommodation: Gazligol Thermal Facilities - 240 beds.

Hüdayi Thermal Resort
Location: 66km south-west of Afyon, 7km south-west of Sandikli.
Transport: Buses from Afyon. Nearest airport is Isparta, 150km south.
Water temperature: 70°C
pH value: 6.3 - 6.9
Physical and chemical properties: Sodium, calcium, sulphur, bicarbonate, fluoride and carbon dioxide, and is radioactive.
Helps to heal: Rheumatic ailments, aches and cramps, cardiovascular disorders, calcium deposits and aching joints, mental and muscular fatigue, nervous disorders and gynaecological disorders.
Accommodation: Kaplica Hotel - 64 beds. Yeni Thermal Hotel - 264 beds.

Yalova  City

Yalova Thermal Resort

Location: 11km south of Yalova, in the Marmara region.
Transportation: Yalova is easy to access by boat or bus.
Water temperature: 55°-60° C
pH value: 6.88 -7.48
Physical and chemical properties: Hyperthermal, hypertonic, sulphur, sodium, calcium.
Recommended: Applications Drinking and bathing
Helps to heal: Rheumatic conditions, aching muscles and patients after stomach operations; chronic gynaecological infections or cramps, blood clots in the legs, gout, diabetes, metabolic problems such as obesity, high blood-cholesterol, cleansing of lipids and fats and removal of excess accumulations of uric acid.
Accommodation: Turban Thermal Hotel (Yalova) - 200 beds. Gokcedere Hotel (Gokcedere Village) - 86 beds.

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