The “Current Approaches in the Tourism Industry and Tourism Education” panel, held by the Near East University Faculty of Tourism at the Grand Library, brought together the tourism faculties and colleges of the universities of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
The panel, which created an important platform to strengthen the cooperation between universities that play an important role in the country’s tourism, was moderated by Near East University Faculty of Tourism Dean Prof. Dr. Nesrin M. Bahçelerli. Throughout the panel, important outcomes was shared about the current approaches in tourism and their reflections on tourism education.
University of Kyrenia Tourism Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Mehmet Altınay, Eastern Mediterranean University Tourism Faculty Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mine Haktanır, Cyprus International University School of Tourism and Hotel Management Director Prof. Dr. Orhan Uludağ, Final International University School of Tourism and Culinary Arts Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nafiya Güden, Kyrenia American University Tourism Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. İsmet Esenyel and Cyprus Science University Tourism Faculty Deputy Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuğrul Günay and many academicians and students also participated intensively in the panel.
Digitalization, new trends and current strategies in tourism management were discussed!
Many topics were discussed throughout the panel; from management to digitalization, from new approaches to trends in the accommodation sector, accessible tourism to green marketing and sustainable environmental strategies. Eastern Mediterranean University Tourism Faculty Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mine Haktanır presented “Changing Approaches in Terms of Tourism Management”, Cyprus International University School of Tourism and Hotel Management Director Prof. Dr. Orhan Uludağ spoke on “Digitalization in Tourism”, Final International University School of Tourism and Culinary Arts Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nafiya Güden presented “New Approaches in Tourism Education”, University of Kyrenia Tourism Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Mehmet Altınay presented “The Importance and Necessity of Accessible Tourism”, Kyrenia American University Tourism Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. İsmet Esenyel spoke on “Trends in the Accommodation Sector” and Cyprus Science University Tourism Faculty Deputy Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuğrul Günay made a presentation on “Green Marketing and Sustainable Environmental Strategies in Tourism Enterprises”.
Collaboration and sustainability were emphasized
The country’s tourism was discussed in many aspects at the event, where projects and research that would contribute to the society were presented in cooperation with faculties and colleges. Participants examined important issues such as sustainability and digital transformation in tourism and discussed how these issues could be integrated into training programs. In the event, where what can be done to provide internship and job opportunities to students by collaborating with the sector was evaluated, it was stated that various strategies should be produced for an environment where students can combine their theoretical knowledge with practical experiences. The focus of the event was also on creating an environment where students will enrich their theoretical knowledge with field experiences and enable them to step into business life more equipped after graduation.
Prof. Dr. Nesrin Menemenci Bahçelerli: “Tourism education needs to be updated in accordance with current trends and changing demands.”
In her speech at the opening, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism of Near East University, Prof. Dr. Nesrin Menemenci Bahçelerli drew attention to the importance of the tourism industry and stated that sustainable development goals are critical for the development of tourism. “Reflecting these changes in tourism education is of vital importance in terms of training a qualified workforce in the sector,” said Prof. Dr. Nesrin Menemenci Bahçelerli, and emphasized that tourism education should be updated in accordance with current trends and changing demands.
Emphasizing the importance of deans of tourism faculties and college directors at the TRNC universities coming together and discussing current tourism approaches and their effects on education, Prof. Dr. Nesrin Menemenci Bahçelerli said, “We aim with this panel to contribute to the TRNC tourism and society with interdisciplinary studies.”
