NEWS

Organized under the leadership of Istanbul Nişantaşı University Vocational School, with contributions from the Tourist Guiding and Tourism and Hotel Management programs, the Tourism Summit titled "Current Debates in Tourism and the Use of Artificial Intelligence" brought together leading figures from the sector with students as part of the Great Career Days.

The opening speeches were delivered by Rector Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Komsuoğlu Çıtıpıtıoğlu and TÜRSAB Board Member Yıldırım Taş. Prof. Dr. Komsuoğlu emphasized that tourism is now not only an economic field but also a strategic area with cultural, sustainable, and technological dimensions. Yıldırım Taş underlined the need for qualified human resources and robust professional laws to maintain Turkey’s strong position in the tourism industry.

The first session was moderated by Asst. Prof. Dr. Emine Keskin. The panel featured Dr. Hakan Arslan, General Manager of JW Marriott Hotel Ankara; Engin Eryılmaz, General Manager of Orientbank Hotel Istanbul; and Recep Özdemir, Chair of the Marriott International Turkey Business Council. Discussions highlighted applied education, sustainability, local procurement, art, and investments in human resources to enhance service quality.

In the second session, speakers included Gürbüz Can, Co-Founder of SeaParks; Semih Altun, General Manager of Royal Blue Resort & Residence; Ali Can Aksu, President of TUROYD; and Derya Aydınay, General Manager of Hampton by Hilton Menteşe. Experiences regarding post-pandemic cruise tourism, opportunities presented by digitalization, the need for a professional law, and hotel opening processes were shared.

The third session, moderated by Lecturer Hümeyra Demir, hosted Ahenk Ayvaşık, Product Manager at CVYEN AI; Talat Alkan, Co-Founder of MUSE VR; İbrahim Mayda, Chairman of Mayda Holding; and Mert Erdoğan, President of Future Guides. Key topics discussed included artificial intelligence, augmented reality, digital identity, and voluntary digital guiding platforms.

The summit concluded with the presentation of appreciation plaques and a commemorative photo. Throughout the sessions, topics such as digitalization, practical training, crisis management, and new-generation technologies stood out, while the importance of students' multidimensional development for success in the sector was emphasized.