The "1st National Havza Thermal Springs Symposium" was held in Samsun's Havza district as part of the 30th May 25th Atatürk Commemoration and Thermal Tourism Festival.
Held at the Havza Municipality Cultural Center in collaboration with the Havza Municipality, the Tourism, Thermal Springs and Clinical Spa Centers Association (TURKAP), the Havza Vocational School, and the Havza Local Action Group Association, the symposium included a moment of silence and the singing of the Turkish National Anthem.
District Governor Mustafa Ayvat stated in his speech that they are working to further promote thermal springs tourism in the country.
Havza Mayor Murat İkiz stated that they are working to have May 25th celebrated as Hot Springs Day across Turkey, saying, "We will present it to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey with the President of the Turkish Energy Cities Association and our members of parliament. Hopefully, when it is approved by Parliament, May 25th will be celebrated as Hot Springs Day in Turkey."
Mehmet Sekmen, President of the Turkish Energy Cities Association and Mayor of Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality, also expressed their desire for May 25th to be celebrated as Hot Springs Day, saying, "May 25th should be celebrated throughout the country as a day of commemorating Atatürk and a day of hot springs. In fact, let's celebrate it not just for one day, but for a week of events."
TURKAP President Ilgaz Nacakoğlu stated that they organized the symposium to raise awareness of spa medicine and spa tourism in Turkey and to increase the country's share of the spa sector.
The symposium consisted of three sessions. Our Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Yetkin Bulut presented papers titled "Samsun from a Health Tourism Perspective," and Tourism Management Department Research Assistant Dr. Sezi Aydın presented papers titled "Wellness Economics and Thermal Tourism."
The symposium concluded after the final declaration was announced.
