Organized within the collaboration between the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Tourism Faculty and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Deputy Prime Ministry, Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment, the “Eastern Mediterranean Tourism Fair 2022” which brought together the individuals seeking a career in TRNC tourism sector opened its doors for visitors on Thursday, 14 April 2022 at 10:00 at Lala Mustafa Paşa Sports Complex. The opening ceremony was attended by the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Famagusta Member of the Parliement Şifa Çolakoğlu, TRNC Deputy Prime Ministry, Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment, Department of Tourism Promotion and Marketing Director Mine Emiroğlu, EMU Board of Trustees President Dr. Erdal Özcenk, vice Rector for Social and Cultural Affairs Prof. Dr. Deniz İşçioğlu and Tourism Faculty vice Dean Prof. Dr. Ali Öztinen as well as the sector representatives, high school and university students. The fair was visited by thousands of visitor throughout the day.
Nearly 100 Firms had Booths in the Fair
With the slogan of “Tourism is Reviving Once Again!”, the career fair aimed to meet both the needs of qualified personnel of the sector and to offer job and internship opportunities to young people who want to guide their careers in the field of tourism. Nearly 100 national and international hotels, restaurants, cafes, tourism agencies, tour operators and airline companies had booths in the event. Moreover, tourism career network HOSCO which has 7,000 members offered international career options for the interested individuals. The fair which had the Cyprus Turkish Hoteliers Association, Cyprus Turkish Tourism and Travel Agencies Association, Northern Cyprus Turkish Restaurateurs Association and Cyprus Turkish Travel Guides Association as the stakeholders was sponsored by Narin Enterprises, Kaner Group, Oza Coffee, Hediyem Su, Petek Patisseries, Mardo, Ekor and Garga Tourism.
“Have a Career Full of Achievements”
Delivering the opening speech of the fair, EMU Tourism Faculty vice Dean Prof. Dr. Ali Öztinen stated that along with the participants, they aim to revive the TRNC tourism following the pandemic period and said that according to the latest data, a 130% increase in tourism is observed during the first three months of 2022 when compared to 2021. Indicating that such data suggests a continuous increase in the tourism, Prof. Dr. Öztinen stated that the fair is a huge opportunity for the students and advised them to visit all the booths while they are at the fair. Prof. Dr. Öztinen ended his speech by saying: “Let’s revive the tourism once again. I wish you a career full of achievements”.
“A Troubled Period in Tourism”
Stating that the tourism sector is one of the TRNC’s leading sectors, the Cyprus Turkish Travel Guides Association Director Dener Öymen shared information on the troubles experienced in the sector. Öymen wished a successful tourism season.
“Humanity First”
Drawing attention on the fact that the biggest capital in service sector is the human resource, the Cyprus Turkish Hoteliers Association Director Dimağ Çağıner said that the most important factor in this manner is humanity. Stating that tourism is a work of heart, Çağıner said: “Tourism will be much better with youth like you”.
“Ministry is seeking an Alternative Market”
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Deputy Prime Ministry, Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment, Department of Tourism Promotion and Marketing Director Mine Emiroğlu indicated that the Ministry focused its planning on different alternative searches due to the interrupted travel rules for the last two years caused by the COVID-19 restrictions. Emphasizing that the TRNC, which is a center of attraction for Russian and Ukrainian tourists, who make up a significant part of the country's tourist portfolio, aims to spread the Middle East and Turkey foot to a wider range through digital platforms, by taking the necessary measures in order not to experience any disappointment in tourism due to the war between these countries, Emiroğlu wished the fair to be beneficial.
“The Aim is to Contribute to the Tourism Sector”
Expressing that the university aims to contribute to the TRNC tourism sector which is getting ready to welcome the new season, EMU vice Rector for Social and Cultural Affairs Prof. Dr. Deniz İşçioğlu thanked all the stakeholders and sponsors who contributed the realization of the fair as well as the participants who attended the event.
Our Aim is is to Contribute to the Elimination of the Need for Qualified and Equipped Personnel in the Tourism Sector Stating that the higher education and tourism sectors, which acted as the locomotive in closing a large part of the TRNC current account deficit during the difficult pandemic process, were adversely affected and especially with the lack of international personnel in the sector, EMU Board of Trustees President Dr. Erdal Özcenk, pointed out that with the fair, they aim to re-create the tourism sector with a national and high-quality workforce. Dr. Özcenk wished the fair to meet the needs of the sector and TRNC.
Following all the speeches, EMU Board of Trustees President Dr. Erdal Özcenk and vice Rector for Social and Cultural Affairs Prof. Dr. Deniz İşçioğlu presented appreciation plaques to the stakeholders and sponsors.