Kırgızistan’ın Sağlık Turizmi Potansiyelinin Değerlendirilmesi (An Evaluation of the Health Tourism Potential of Kyrgyzstan)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21325/jotags.2025.1758Keywords:
Health tourism, Thermal tourism, Sanatorium, Sustainable tourism, KyrgyzstanAbstract
This study aims to reveal the health tourism potential of Kyrgyzstan and to identify how existing resources can be developed in a sustainable manner. The research was designed in response to the limited effective utilization of health tourism resources and the need for scientifically grounded strategic guidance in this field. A qualitative research approach was adopted, and primary data were collected through structured interviews with stakeholders experienced in health tourism. Within this framework, interviews were conducted with a total of 21 participants—4 academics, 11 medical doctors, and 6 tourism professionals—between June and September 2024. The data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings indicate that Kyrgyzstan’s health tourism supply is shaped by sanatoriums, thermal resources, natural assets, and traditional treatment practices. Thermal and spa-wellness tourism, along with medical tourism, emerged as the most promising areas for development. The results suggest that modernizing physical infrastructure, enhancing specialized human resources, and strengthening international promotion strategies could significantly improve Kyrgyzstan’s competitiveness in the health tourism market. Overall, the study provides valuable insights to support strategic planning for sustainable health tourism development in Kyrgyzstan.
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