Current Debates in Tourism and the Use of Artificial Intelligence

Led by Istanbul Nişantaşı University’s Vocational School, with contributions from the Tourist Guiding and Tourism and Hotel Management Programmes, the Tourism Summit entitled “Current Debates in Tourism and the Use of Artificial Intelligence” brought leading industry figures together with students as part of the Grand Career Days.

Rector Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Komsuoğlu Çıtıpıtıoğlu and TÜRSAB Board Member Yıldırım Taş delivered the opening speeches. Prof. Dr. Komsuoğlu emphasised that tourism is now a strategic field encompassing cultural, sustainable and technological dimensions as well as economic ones. Yıldırım Taş stated that qualified human resources and strong professional legislation are needed for Türkiye to maintain its strong tourism position.

Assist. Prof. Dr. Emine Keskin moderated the first session. 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 Marriott International’s Türkiye Business Council. Discussions highlighted practical education, sustainability, local sourcing, art and investment in human resources for service quality.

Speakers in the second session were SeaParks Co-Founder Gürbüz Can, Royal Blue Resort & Residence General Manager Semih Altun, TUROYD President Ali Can Aksu, and Hampton by Hilton Menteşe General Manager Derya Aydınay. They shared experiences of post-pandemic cruise tourism, opportunities offered by digitalisation, the need for professional legislation and hotel opening processes.

The third session, moderated by Lecturer Hümeyra Demir, featured CVYEN AI Product Manager Ahenk Ayvaşık, MUSE VR Co-Founder Talat Alkan, Mayda Holding Board Chair İbrahim Mayda and Geleceğin Rehberleri President Mert Erdoğan. Artificial intelligence, augmented reality, digital identity and volunteer digital guiding platforms were prominent topics.

The summit concluded with the presentation of appreciation plaques and a commemorative photograph. Sessions highlighted digitalisation, practical education, crisis management and next-generation technologies, while emphasising students’ well-rounded development as a factor in industry success.