Compound geotourism and mine tourism potentiality of Soma region, Turkey

Geotourism is carried out in order to draw public attention to our common geological heritage, to increase our knowledge of geology, and to contribute to the local economy. Mining tourism also aims to show the importance and necessity of mining activity despite its difficulties and to contibute to the economy of local mining community. Moreover, mining tourism can transform the image of the mining region from negative to positive, after major mining accidents and raise morale of the local miners. The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of the region for geotourism and mining tourism. Among a wide variety of geotourism elements in the region, there are Kula Volcanic Geopark, Soma coalmines, and lignite-fired thermic power plant, Salihli geothermal energy plants, Spil Mountain National Park. This geodiversity in the region has led us to suggest the concept of compound geotourism. The richest lignite deposits in western Anatolia are in Soma. Here we offer a glimpse into the possibilities of mining tourism. A qualitative and pre-quantitative assessment was carried out to make a geodiversity inventory of the region. Scientific, educational, and tourism values of the proposed geotourism elements were found high, and fortunately the risk of deterioration of geodiversity in the region is found low. The geodiversity in Manisa province and its districts, Soma, Kula, and Salihli, is very suitable for geotourism; also Soma is an excellent area for mining tourism.