Denizli Chamber of Commerce: priority on geothermal-powered farming and thermal health tourism

According to a report published by Denizli Yeni Olay on 28 September 2026, Denizli Chamber of Commerce (DTO) President Uğur Erdoğan said the city’s natural resources, production infrastructure and workforce should be used to create more added value. Noting that Denizli is strong in textiles, marble and tourism, he said the city needs more sectoral diversity, with thermal tourism, renewable energy, health tourism and sustainable agriculture standing out.

On agriculture, Erdoğan proposed using geothermal energy not only for power generation but together with farming and industry, and expanding the model of geothermal-integrated organised greenhouse zones. He pointed to the Sarayköy Geothermal-Heated Greenhouse Organised Agricultural Zone, which targets 15,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables a year and employs a high share of women. According to the report, the model lowers energy costs while supporting exports, women’s employment and rural development.

The report also covers proposals to develop high-standard health tourism accommodation around the thermal springs of Pamukkale and Karahayıt, a pre-feasibility study by the South Aegean Development Agency (GEKA), and raising added value in marble, technical textiles and recycling. These are the DTO President’s proposals; the report does not say that decisions have been taken or timelines set for these projects.

The Rural Development Investment Programme also contains provisions that support this model. Under the 2026 rules, investments in organised agricultural zones and agriculture-based specialised industrial zones receive a 70% grant. For greenhouses heated with renewable energy, a geothermal or biogas source only needs to cover the greenhouse’s heating demand, and heat pumps and insulation can be counted among greenhouse heating costs. These conditions should be confirmed again once the 2027 rules are published.