The Kütahya Tourism Master Plan is a multi-stakeholder and strategic roadmap aiming to leverage the historical, cultural, and natural assets of the province through a sustainable tourism approach. The plan aims to make Kütahya’s unique identity visible in various thematic areas of tourism, support local development, and strengthen the province’s economic, social, and cultural structure through tourism.
In this context, the current tourism situation of the province was analyzed in detail during the planning process; strengths, potential areas, and key problems encountered were identified. Kütahya’s main advantages include its tile and ceramic art, rich thermal resources, archaeological sites such as the Phrygian Valley, traditional handicrafts, gastronomic elements, and vast natural areas. However, it was determined that these values are largely unpromoted, there are deficiencies in infrastructure and service quality, and tourism has not become widespread throughout the province.
Based on these analyses, priority thematic areas for tourism development have been identified; cultural heritage, thermal health tourism, nature-based tourism, gastronomy, eco-tourism, transportation and accessibility, promotion and marketing, digitalization, institutional structure, and service quality have been highlighted. Under each heading, the current situation of the province, its development potential, and the targeted transformations have been evaluated.
The plan does not only focus on developing tourism products; it also adopts as fundamental principles the active participation of the local people in the tourism process, strengthening the local economy, environmental sustainability, and the preservation and transmission of cultural heritage to future generations.
In conclusion, the Kütahya Tourism Master Plan offers a holistic framework that aims to make Kütahya a competitive, inclusive, and resilient tourism destination by combining the province’s multifaceted heritage with sustainable tourism principles.
