Introduction

Dear students,

Tourism management emerged as a result of the growing importance of the tourism sector and the need for professional managers in this field. The history of tourism reaches from antiquity to the present day. Early journeys were made for trade, religious beliefs and exploration, while the foundations of modern tourism were laid in the 19th century. With the Industrial Revolution, rising income levels and improved transport opportunities increased people’s tendency to travel. In this period, tourism began to take shape as an industry, and the concept of tourism management was born.

Thanks to its historical and cultural wealth, natural beauty and strategic location, Turkey has significant potential in tourism. From the mid-20th century onwards, the tourism sector in Turkey developed rapidly. In the 1980s, the sector gained great momentum through government policies encouraging tourism, infrastructure investments and promotional activities. Turkey reached a level where it could compete with its rivals in the Mediterranean basin and took its place among the most visited countries in the world.

Tourism management education has likewise gained importance in parallel with these developments. By opening the Department of Tourism Management, our university aims to train the qualified workforce the sector needs. Our Department aims to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, so that our graduates can build successful careers in the sector.

Tourism management is a constantly changing and developing sector. For this reason, the goals of the sector must also be dynamic and innovative. Among the sector-oriented goals of our Department are sustainable tourism, raising quality and service standards, innovation and use of technology, local and regional development, and education and employment.

To achieve these goals, our Department of Tourism Management offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary education. Our students have the opportunity to specialize in different areas of the tourism sector and to build successful careers at both national and international levels.