Water resources stand at the heart of tourism
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Anatolian Agency
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Kasım 28, 2008 00:00
ANTALYA - The richness of water resources are extremely related to the power of tourism, according to professors. That is why Turkey, which will host the World Water Forum next year, needs to take good care of its water problems, planning how much water is consumed for tourism.
The accessibility of water is a feature marketed by the tourism industry as part of its products and services, according to Nazmi Kozak, faculty member of the Anadolu University Tourism and Hotel Management department.
"The sustainability and purity of water is indispensable to the industry," Kozak said.
Accessibility of water increases the chances of success for a tourism product or service, Kozak said, adding that some 80 percent of travel to Turkey is for tourism and one reason for this is the water resources of the country.
"Hotels try to create a positive image in people’s minds when marketing their rooms, which includes publicity of their water resources," he said. "Tourism consumes more water than anybody can measure. Unfortunately there is not enough legal supervision and assessment of water consumption. We need to be more protective and sensitive at this point in time," said Gülser Öztunalı Kayır, faculty member at the Akdeniz University.
Stating tourist numbers will amount to 1.5 billion and tourist income to $2 trillion in the year 2020, Hüsniye Akıllı, research assistant at the Akdeniz University, said tourism will endanger ecosystems if not managed well, which could mean tourism will consume its own resources.
Value of underground water
"According to some research conducted worldwide, water consumption per tourist is between 350 and 850 liters, but the water consumption of people in developed countries is 266 liters per person.
This means that only tourism consumes more water than developed countries. Recent research shows water used in a five-star hotel in India equals the total water consumption of five villages in the region," she said
The total water potential of Antalya is 15.3 billion cubic meters, which constitutes 9 percent of Turkey’s total water potential, said İhsan Taşkın, member of Antalya Chamber of Geological Engineers.
"The new Energy Market Law necessitates the formation of an energy installation over every water resource," Taşkın said.
Forum is crucial
Kutlu Taner, member of Antalya Chamber of Geological Engineers, said Antalya residents obtain drinking water from underground sources that are of great importance to the region.
There is a lack of coordination in the application of laws about water consumption, said Beyza Üstün, from Yıldız Teknik University.
"Water resources face the danger of contamination and diminution today," said Üstün. "It is extremely meaningful for Turkey to host the 2009 World Water Forum while water resources are being contaminated and decreasing in level."
"We can no longer drink tap water, we need to buy water, which is our natural right," she added.
"The sustainability and purity of water is indispensable to the industry," Kozak said.
Accessibility of water increases the chances of success for a tourism product or service, Kozak said, adding that some 80 percent of travel to Turkey is for tourism and one reason for this is the water resources of the country.
"Hotels try to create a positive image in people’s minds when marketing their rooms, which includes publicity of their water resources," he said. "Tourism consumes more water than anybody can measure. Unfortunately there is not enough legal supervision and assessment of water consumption. We need to be more protective and sensitive at this point in time," said Gülser Öztunalı Kayır, faculty member at the Akdeniz University.
Stating tourist numbers will amount to 1.5 billion and tourist income to $2 trillion in the year 2020, Hüsniye Akıllı, research assistant at the Akdeniz University, said tourism will endanger ecosystems if not managed well, which could mean tourism will consume its own resources.
Value of underground water
"According to some research conducted worldwide, water consumption per tourist is between 350 and 850 liters, but the water consumption of people in developed countries is 266 liters per person.
This means that only tourism consumes more water than developed countries. Recent research shows water used in a five-star hotel in India equals the total water consumption of five villages in the region," she said
The total water potential of Antalya is 15.3 billion cubic meters, which constitutes 9 percent of Turkey’s total water potential, said İhsan Taşkın, member of Antalya Chamber of Geological Engineers.
"The new Energy Market Law necessitates the formation of an energy installation over every water resource," Taşkın said.
Forum is crucial
Kutlu Taner, member of Antalya Chamber of Geological Engineers, said Antalya residents obtain drinking water from underground sources that are of great importance to the region.
There is a lack of coordination in the application of laws about water consumption, said Beyza Üstün, from Yıldız Teknik University.
"Water resources face the danger of contamination and diminution today," said Üstün. "It is extremely meaningful for Turkey to host the 2009 World Water Forum while water resources are being contaminated and decreasing in level."
"We can no longer drink tap water, we need to buy water, which is our natural right," she added.