NEWS

“The Future of Cultural Heritage: Developing New Products for Prehistoric Tourism in Türkiye”

Türkiye’s prehistoric heritage is being rediscovered through the innovative project titled “The Future of Cultural Heritage: Developing New Products for Prehistoric Tourism in Türkiye.”

Led by Dr. E. Nurcan Yalman, a faculty member of the Department of Tourism Guidance at the Faculty of Applied Sciences (UBYO), this original project brings university students together with the mysterious world of prehistoric periods. The aim is not only to introduce the past, but also to breathe new life into boutique, intellectual, and sustainable tourism by preserving cultural heritage.

Prehistoric tourism offers a new perspective on the story of humanity, stretching back tens of thousands of years. In Europe, sites such as the Lascaux and Altamira caves attract millions of visitors, and this growing field is now gaining momentum in Türkiye as well. World heritage sites such as Göbeklitepe, Çatalhöyük, Aşıklı Höyük, and Troy position Türkiye as a leading destination in this emerging tourism niche.

“It was once believed that prehistoric periods could not be narrated through storytelling. Yet this era represents the most creative phase of humanity’s journey to understand the world.”
— Dr. Nurcan Yalman

The project enables students to directly participate in archaeological excavations and conduct on-site observations. During the September–October 2025 period, four Tourism Guidance students worked alongside the Çatalhöyük excavation team, gaining hands-on experience in both fieldwork and laboratory studies, and developing an in-depth understanding of the sensitivity of archaeological research. Additionaly, qualitative surveys were conducted to analyze domestic and international visitor profiles, expectations, and perceptions. The same model is planned to be implemented in the Taş Tepeler region and the Cappadocia–Aşıklı Höyük area.

The project’s first major event was the “Prehistoric Tourism in Türkiye” Panel, organized by Dr. Yalman on April 8, 2025. Panel speakers included Haluk Yurtkuran, founder of Oasis Tourism; Erdal Çeri from Çeri Tourism; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dilistan Shipman, Head of the Department of Gastronomy, who shared their professional experiences with students. Through these strong collaborations, new boutique tour themes and localy focused cultural routes are being designed.

At the conclusion of the project, al collected field data will be evaluated to produce an academic publication, original tourism products, and new destination maps. This initiative stands as a strong example of Istanbul Nişantaşı University’s vision for sustainable cultural tourism.

The Prehistoric Tourism Project brings new vitality to our cultural heritage through the creativity of our students.

We extend our sincere thanks to Rector Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Komsuoğlu Çıtıpıtıoğlu and our university for their support, to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Ozan, Head of the Çatalhöyük Excavation, and for welcoming our students Batuhan Kalkan, Bayram Ali Çevik, Yiğit Şahin, and Zehra Sarı into his project.