Geothermal waters to serve tourism

Monday, September 22, 2008

Anatolia News Agency - YOZGAT

The Hydrology Department at Ankara's Hacettepe University has started activities to detect and draw on geothermal sources in the Central Anatolian province of Yozgat.�We obtained good results from detections in Yozgat city and its Sorgun, Sarıkaya and Yerköy districts. Studies are ongoing to utilize these new sources as producing means,� said Yozgat Governor Amir Çiçek. �The sources in Yerköy, Sorgun and Sarıkaya are used in local heating, and they are working for the establishment of thermal and health tourism as well as commercial greenhouses.�Because there are no thermal water sources found in the districts within the activities titled, �Geothermal Water Research and Potential Evaluation,� there will be other works and research conducted.Pointing out that the most important geothermal sources are in Yozgat, Çiçek said, �Foreign people in European countries try to cure their illnesses using thermal sources and they prefer Turkey because Europe is more expensive.�Çelik said a committee from the Hacettepe University had begun activities to find new sources. �We will activate these sources and use them for promoting tourism,� Çelik said. �Energy is at a crucial point now. It is crucial not only for Turkey but for all the world's countries. Renewable energy is needed. We have started a mobilizing in Yozgat. In six districts works will be started soon. We will open the areas with thermal water to commercial green housing, health tourism and the other alternative tourism sectors. Investors are impatient about the issue and investment opportunities are widening for geothermal and thermal health tourism.�

turkishdailynews