Differences Between Geriatric Tourism and Third Age Tourism and Its Relationship with Physical Therapy Rehabilitation and Thermal Treatments

The study analyzed the state of geriatric tourism in Turkey using data from digital and social media through content analysis. It found that geriatric tourists visiting Turkey primarily utilized thermal treatments and physical therapy rehabilitation (FTR), with some opting for hair transplantation. These tourists mainly came from the Middle East, Europe, and CIS countries, favoring major cities like Izmir, Ankara, Istanbul, Antalya, and Bursa. Their motivations included cost, abundance of thermal resources, quality of medical services, and additional tourist activities. Social media content was predominantly shared by travel agencies and healthcare institutions. The study received ethical approval from the Izmir Katip Celebi University Social Research Ethics Committee.