Hosted by Eastern Mediterranean University, Tourism Faculty and the Tourism Club operating under the Social and Cultural Activities Directorate, the first general board meeting of the “Platform for the Future of Tourism” commenced with opening addresses at EMU Senate Hall on 4 December 2015.
In his address, Chair of the Platform for the Future of Tourism and Chair of EMU Tourism Club Çağatay Kaan Eren expressed his happiness for the organisation of this significant event. Adding that the Platform for the Future of Tourism has started producing projects, Eren also provided information about prospective events and activities. Eren added that the universities in the said platform are not rivals but are ambassadors of tourism working in collaboration with each other. At the end of his address, Eren extended his appreciation and gratitude to the participants.
EMU Tourism Faculty Acting Dean Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç delivered an opening speech and stated that the world is closely connected to tourism in terms of economic, cultural and social issues. Prof. Dr. Kılıç also thanked all those who contributed to the happening of the platform.
Stating that the first thing coming to mind is tourism when Cyprus is mentioned, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam added that tourism as a profession carries significance for the residents of the island. Prof. Dr. Osam put forth that EMU is a missionary institution which hosts 106 different cultures, languages, religions and world views. Prof. Dr. Osam stated that they view graduates of EMU as the university’s representatives in different corners of the world.
Established with the aim of bringing together the tourism and gastronomy club and department representatives in the Republic of Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus under a platform entitled “The Future of Tourism”, the said organisation introduces different activities every year. EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Osam, Acting Dean Prof. Dr. Kılıç, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Hıfsiye Pulhan and Prof. Dr. Salih Katırcoğlu, academic staff members from Tourism Faculty and students attended the opening ceremony of the said platform which will continue until 6 December 2015 with the participation of 20 representatives of 17 clubs.
