The 2nd TÜRSAB Tourism Congress, held from February 16-18, 2024, hosted over 1,000 travel agency representatives during its three-day program. The congress, which attracted significant attention from both attendees and the press, concluded its final day with the panel discussion “How Can Tourism Be Enhanced Through Media Power,” moderated by TÜRSAB Information Technology and Media Communication Group President Mesut Kanat.
The panel featured Journalist and Author Emrullah Erdinç, Economist Selçuk Geçer, and Kanal D News Reporter İbrahim Konar, who shared insights on the role of tourism in mainstream and digital media, as well as the relationship between media and tourism.
NEGATIVE PERCEPTIONS IN THE MEDIA ADVERSELY IMPACT LOCAL TOURISTS
Criticizing the predominance of negative news in mainstream media, Emrullah Erdinç emphasized the need for both media and society to focus on positive news. He pointed out that frequent coverage of negative experiences in tourism news has an adverse effect on the industry, highlighting a disconnect between media and tourism.
Erdinç stated, “Negative perceptions created through adverse examples can lead local tourists to prefer vacations abroad. When chaos or negative experiences are reported in the news, it is often believed to attract more audience interest. As a result, negative news about tourism is also produced. We need to bring media and tourism professionals together to generate more positive narratives about tourism.”
“YOUTUBE WILL BECOME THE WORLD’S BIGGEST TV CHANNEL”
Selçuk Geçer emphasized the dominance and effectiveness of social media over mainstream media, highlighting that digital media will become even more significant and widespread in the future. Geçer stated, “I predict that in 3-4 years, we will see television channels fully transitioning into social media. They are already evolving. Every TV channel now has a YouTube channel. Soon, YouTube itself will become the world’s largest TV channel.”
İBRAHIM KONAR: “WE MUST FULLY SUPPORT TOURISM”
Kanal D reporter İbrahim Konar shared his views on the relationship between media and tourism professionals during the panel. He pointed out that a single mistake by someone in the tourism sector often reflects on all stakeholders, stating, “Tourism is not just about making money. It’s not just about vacations either. Tourism also means hope. I believe we must fully support tourism as a whole.”
Commenting on the lack of coverage of tourism-related topics in the news, Konar said, “News shouldn’t only be about incidents that end up at the police station or the courthouse. Tourism or regional stories often come last on the agenda. Tourism news is of great importance for promoting our regions, culture, and values. However, mainstream media does not give tourism the attention it deserves. Media is being very unfair to tourism.”
SELÇUK GEÇER: “IF YOU ALLOW DIVISION, YOU’VE ALREADY LOST THE BATTLE”
Speaking on the importance of professional organizations and unity, Geçer stated, “If you fall into someone’s trap and allow certain laws to pass without resistance, it’s like giving up the golden goose.”
“TÜRSAB MUST REMAIN UNITED”
Panel moderator Mesut Kanat shared his thoughts on the matter, saying, “Our entire effort is to stand firmly united against the division of TÜRSAB, Turkey’s most important tourism organization, established in 1972. Over the past month, we have seen this up close. At gatherings attended by around 2,000 people in Istanbul and 1,000 in Ankara, we strongly declared, ‘TÜRSAB cannot be divided.’ We demonstrated our unity. We repeatedly explained that dividing TÜRSAB would not benefit the public or us.”
EMRULLAH ERDİNÇ: “DIVIDING TÜRSAB MEANS THE SECTOR WILL NO LONGER HAVE A VOICE”
Speaking at the panel, Emrullah Erdinç stated, “There is always the phrase ‘divide, conquer, and rule.’ I stand against the division of TÜRSAB. A similar situation occurred with the Union of Bar Associations when the Multi-Bar System was introduced. However, it was a model that brought no benefit to our country and had no significant impact. Unity in terms of justice should not have been divided. When we look at it in terms of tourism, dividing TÜRSAB means the sector’s voice will no longer be heard. Therefore, I believe TÜRSAB must continue independently.”
SERDAR KUZULOĞLU: “THE TOURISM SECTOR IS FALLING BEHIND IN THE DIGITAL WORLD”
The congress concluded with the final panel, titled “New People, New Tourism.” Technology Writer and Trend Hunter M. Serdar Kuzuloğlu spoke during the session, giving examples of how digital advancements are affecting different fields globally and explaining emerging trends.
Highlighting that the tourism sector relies heavily on digital platforms, Kuzuloğlu remarked, “It’s surprising to see how the tourism sector, which benefits so much from digital developments, often remains distant from the digital world. Sometimes, we encounter businesses that avoid creating websites out of fear of being copied.”
Kuzuloğlu emphasized that digital platforms are beginning to fill the gaps left by tourism professionals and stated that new technologies can help better promote identity-less tourism destinations. Addressing the implications of artificial intelligence for tourism, he warned, “If you don’t establish your presence in these areas, unexpected competitors will reshape and transform the sector.”
CLOSING REMARKS
The 2nd TÜRSAB Tourism Congress, which hosted panels on topics such as digitalization, new-generation tourism, and emerging trends, concluded with a closing speech by Hasan Eker, TÜRSAB Vice Chairman and Coordinator of the TÜRSAB Tourism Congress.
