Event Programme

5 February - 7 February

“REDEFINING TOURISM: BOLD STEPS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE”

PRESIDENTS' SESSION: OPINION LEADERS REVEAL 2025 TOURISM PREDICTIONS

Investment Strategies and Policies Supporting Sustainability for 2025 from Industry Leaders
New Trends in Global Tourism Policies
Environmentally-conscious and socially-aware

Moderator

Osman Ayık

Tourism Consultant

Speaker

Erkan Yağcı

TÜROFED President

Firuz Bağlıkaya

TÜRSAB President

Oya Narin

TTYD President

5 February
15:15 - 16:15
TUYAP

BOLD STEPS FOR TOURISM: MUNICIPALITIES LEADING THE TRANSFORMATION

Smart Cities and Smart Destinations: The Future of Tourism Infrastructure
From Local to Global: Branding Destination Stories
Travel Experiences Redefined by Innovation

Moderator

Şengül Altan Arslan (Dr.)

Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (UMT) Deputy Secretary General

Speaker

Ahmet Öküzcüoğlu

Manisa Alaşehir Municipality Mayor

Ayşe Ünlüce

Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor

Şükrü Sargın

Tokat Zile Municipality Mayor

Zeydan Karalar

Adana Metropolitan Municipality Mayor

5 February
16:30 – 17:30
TUYAP

“REDEFINING TOURISM: BOLD STEPS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE”

FROM TAŞ TEPELER TO THE WORLD: THE GEOGRAPHY AT THE HEART OF CULTURAL HERITAGE

The Archaeological Significance of Taş Tepeler and the Preservation of Cultural Heritage
Regional Tourism Strategies and Sustainable Development
Global Promotion of Cultural Destinations and Enhancing Accessibility
Gastronomy Tourism and the Discovery of Local Flavors
Global Promotion of Cultural Heritage and Destination Marketing
Local Development and Economic Contribution

Moderator

Ece Pirim

News Anchor

Speaker

Aydın Aslan

Şanlıurfa Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism

Emre Güldoğan (Assoc. Prof.)

Istanbul University Archeology Department / Excavation Head of Sefertepe

Eylem Özdoğan (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)

Istanbul University Archeology Department / Excavation Head of Sayburç

Necmi Karul (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)

Istanbul University Prehistory Department Lecturer Taş Tepeler Project Coordinator - Excavation Director of Karahantepe and Göbeklitepe

Ömür Akkor

Founder of Ömür Akkor Anatolian Gastronomy Foundation / Chef, Traveler, Researcher

Rafet Fatih Özgür

Turkish Airlines, Communications SVP

6 February
11:00 – 12:15
TUYAP

IS TOURISM AN EXPERIENCE OR A RESPONSIBILITY?

Rules of Responsible Travel: Environmental and Social Impact
Tourist Behaviors in the Experience Economy Era
Tourism and Sustainable Development Goals: An Example of Alignment

6 February
13:00 - 14:00
TUYAP

SILENT LUXURY AND SUSTAINABLE ACCOMMODATION: MODERN HOTELS APPROACHES

Sustainability Strategies of International Hotel Chains•Differentiation and Branding Methods of Local Hotels
The Connection Between Tourism Policies and Hotel Investments
The Role of the Quiet Luxury Concept in Modern Hospitality and Its Impact on Customers
Design and Implementation of Personalized Accommodation Experiences
Creative Solutions Combining Luxury and Sustainability
Operational Efficiency and Eco-Friendly Approaches

Moderator

Bahar Akıncı

Journalist, Travel Writer

Speaker

Cem Doğan

Avantgarde Collection & Lucis Companies Executive Board Member

Nilsun Tümer

IHG Hotels & Resorts Business Development Director, Türkiye

Onur Kurç

Accor Türkiye Vice President of Development

6 February
14:15 - 15:15
TUYAP

THE PATH TO POSITIVE TOURISM WITH DESTINATION LEADERS

Pioneering Sustainable Destination Policies in Tourism
Crisis-Resilient Tourism Models and Innovative Solutions
Mutual Learning and Inspiration
Inter-Destination Collaborations and Opportunities
Tourism Approach that Adds Value to the Environment and Society
Local Reflections of Global Strategies
Community-Driven Tourism
Tourism Aligned with Global Trends
Digitalization and Smart Destinations

Moderator

Bahar Akıncı

Journalist, Travel Writer

Speaker

Ahmet Savaşan (Dr.)

Deputy of TRNC/ Cyprus Healthcare Travel Council President

Aleksandra Gardasevic-Slavuljica (Dr.)

International Tourism Strategist, Consultant

Gonzalo Ceballos

Tourism Counselor Embassy of Spain

Oktay Yılmaz

President of Bursa Culture Tourism and Promotion Union

Serdar Kurtoğlu

Hatay Metropolitan Municipality Tourism Branch Manager

6 February
15:30 – 16:45
TUYAP

“REDEFINING TOURISM: BOLD STEPS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE”

CREATIVE GROWTH IN TOURISM WITH THE POWER OF INFLUENCERS AND AI

Creativity in Content Creation with AI
The Role of AI in Influencer Marketing
The Importance of Human Touch and Timeless Skills
Next-Generation Destination Promotion with AI
AI in Sustainable and Responsible Tourism

Moderator

Murat Özbilgi

Gezimanya Managing Partner

Speaker

Alex Chacon

Creative Producer & Travel Content Creator

Helin Gözde Yılmaz

Digital Content Creator

Jihade Benalluch

Travel Content Creator

Pedro Richardson

Travel Blogger & Content Creator

Viktoriya Şener

Travel Influencer

7 February
11:00 - 12:00
TUYAP

WHAT IF AI WENT ON VACATION?

Technological Trends Shaping the Future of Tourism: Digitalization, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and sustainable innovation.
AI-Powered Strategies: From destination management to personalized travel experiences.
How AI is Transforming Travel Habits: New rules of the game and the shift from traditional approaches.
Operational Efficiency and Customer Experience: The role of AI in enhancing performance in the tourism sector.
Sustainability and Future Business Models: The contribution of technology to achieving sustainability goals and mapping out a roadmap for the future.