- Afyon Kocatepe University's Faculty of Tourism combines bilingual education, extensive practical training, and international accreditation within a single educational model.

- Students spend a substantial portion of their studies in the tourism industry, gaining professional experience before graduation.

- Council of Higher Education President Erol Özvar: "Through the practice-oriented education model we have developed together with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, our students gain valuable industry experience before they graduate."

July 30, 2026

Afyon Kocatepe University's Faculty of Tourism has become one of Türkiye's leading institutions for tourism education through its practice-oriented curriculum, internationally accredited programs, and strong partnerships with the tourism industry. Under its new educational model, students learn two foreign languages, spend a significant portion of their education directly in the sector, and begin building their professional careers before graduation.

Prof. Mehmet Karakaş, Rector of Afyon Kocatepe University, stated that tourism is one of the university's three strategic priority areas. "Tourism is one of our three strategic priorities. Therefore, we provide positive support to the Faculty of Tourism in terms of investment, academic staffing, and project development."

Karakaş explained that, under the protocol signed between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Council of Higher Education, the university was selected as one of nine pilot institutions in Türkiye. "Within the framework of this protocol, we launched the Tourism Management and Gastronomy Management programs. This year, we admitted 30 students. The program begins with a preparatory year during which students study two foreign languages—English and Russian. Following the preparatory year, students spend two of their four years of undergraduate education directly in the tourism industry through practical training."

Emphasizing that the primary objective of the program is to educate future tourism managers, Karakaş added: "Our graduates will possess proficiency in two foreign languages, substantial industry experience, and a strong educational background. They will become acquainted with employment opportunities before graduation and will enter the workforce with confidence."

- Türkiye's First Faculty of Tourism with Full Accreditation Across All Active Programs

Prof. Elbeyi Pelit, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism, explained that the faculty offers degree programs in Tourism Management, Gastronomy and Culinary Arts, Tourist Guiding, and Tourism and Gastronomy Management.

Pelit noted that the Tourism and Gastronomy Management program, established through the collaboration between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Council of Higher Education, is delivered entirely in English.

"One of the major strengths of this program is its fully English-medium curriculum and the opportunity for students to spend three academic semesters in industry placements. Students first complete career assessments and then specialize in either gastronomy or tourism management. During their final semester, they return to the industry for executive-level management training. Graduates will possess the qualifications needed to pursue careers in international hotel chains."

Highlighting Afyonkarahisar's importance as a center for thermal tourism and gastronomy, Pelit said: "We are home to one of the world's highest-quality thermal resources, and we are recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Managers of our five-star thermal hotels serve on our faculty advisory board, allowing us to continuously update our curriculum in line with industry expectations."

He also noted that the Faculty of Tourism is the first tourism faculty in Türkiye to achieve full accreditation across all of its active academic programs, further strengthening the international recognition of its graduates' degrees.

- "Afyon Has a Distinct Culinary Tradition for Every Ceremony"

Lecturer Osman Kazancı of the Department of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts explained that UNESCO's recognition extends beyond culinary diversity to the relationship between gastronomy and culture. "In Afyon, every ceremony has its own unique culinary tradition. Gastronomy is an integral part of everyday life."

Kazancı emphasized that the faculty's objective is not merely to train Michelin-starred chefs. "We are not simply aiming to produce Michelin-starred chefs. We educate academics, hotel managers, and food and beverage executives. Above all, we strive to develop well-rounded professionals who understand the kitchen, ingredients, and the dedication behind food production."

He added that students acquire essential industry skills ranging from cost management to team leadership. "Even the world's best chef cannot succeed without the ability to lead a team. That is the foundation we seek to provide."

- Students Enter the Industry Before Graduation

Graduate and master's student Anıl Musa Arslan said the faculty's practical training infrastructure provides students with a significant advantage. "Among Türkiye's public universities, this is one of the best-equipped institutions for culinary education. During the first two years, we receive fundamental kitchen training, followed by advanced courses in international cuisine, pastry arts, and professional culinary techniques. Students who fully engage with the curriculum graduate prepared to work in every area of the industry."

Mirismayil Fattazade, who came from Azerbaijan to study gastronomy, said: "Thanks to the knowledge and guidance of our professors, I have worked in numerous restaurants both in Türkiye and abroad. I also had the opportunity to work alongside a Michelin Young Chef Award recipient in Istanbul. We are taught not only culinary skills, but also management, service, and crisis management. The education I received here enabled me to establish my own sushi business."

- Career Days Facilitate Employment

Tourism Management student İlkay Nerözek explained that the faculty prepares students for management positions. "Through the Career Days, we can secure both internships and employment opportunities. I found my first internship thanks to one of these events."

Another Tourism Management student, Musa Topbaş, highlighted the importance of practical training. "We receive instruction in Amadeus, Fidelio, and airline ticketing systems. We also gain practical experience in housekeeping operations. In addition to English, students may study Russian or German. The faculty's distinction as Türkiye's first tourism faculty with full accreditation across all of its programs was one of the main reasons I chose to study here."

Reyhan Şahan, a licensed tourist guide and master's student in Tourist Guiding, also emphasized the significant contribution that technical field trips and practical training have made to her professional development.

- From Graduate to Management

Hamdi Erzincanlı, a 2015 graduate, said the practical training he received during his studies played a decisive role in his career. "I have been working at the same hotel since 2016 and currently serve as Assistant Sales Manager. Our workplace training and internships enabled us to adapt to the industry much more quickly. We are trained not simply as employees, but as future managers."

He added: "Afyon Kocatepe University's Faculty of Tourism has developed tremendously in recent years. It equips the tourism sector with qualified, ambitious, and self-confident professionals. Graduating from this faculty is truly a privilege."

- "Our Universities Are Educating the Workforce Needed by Industry"

Council of Higher Education President Erol Özvar stated that one of the Council's primary goals is to expand a university model that combines academic knowledge with practical application.

He concluded: "Our universities are not merely institutions that award degrees. They are centers that educate the qualified workforce required by industry while contributing to the development of their regions. Through the practice-oriented education model we have developed together with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, our students gain valuable industry experience before they graduate. The educational model implemented by Afyon Kocatepe University in tourism is one of the most successful examples of this approach."