The panel on “Smart and Digital Tourism Sustainability in the TRNC,” organized by Altınbaş Cyprus University, was held on March 10, 2026, at the Concorde Tower Hotel in Nicosia, with active participation from academics, industry representatives, and students.
The session was moderated by Elif Şenyücel, Head of the International Hospitality and Tourism Management Department and Director of the Tourism Research, Application, and Development Center (TUGEM) at Altınbaş Cyprus University.
In the opening speeches, Behiye Çavuşoğlu, Rector of Altınbaş Cyprus University; Asst. Prof. Dr. Sedef Altınbaş, Member of the Board of Trustees; and Ayhatun Ateşin, a ceramic artist, theater artist, and art director, addressed participants. They highlighted the importance of sustainability in the tourism sector, the preservation of cultural values, and the role of digital transformation in advancing tourism practices.
Topics Discussed at the Panel
The panel addressed various aspects of the tourism sector, including digitalization, sustainable tourism policies, destination management, and the sustainability of human resources in tourism.
Prof.Dr. Muharrem Tuna, the first speaker, presented on “Sustainability in Today’s and Tomorrow’s Tourism,” drawing attention to the global transformation of the tourism industry. He emphasized that sustainable tourism should be approached not only from an environmental perspective but also considering its economic and social dimensions. Tuna highlighted the growing role of digital technologies in destination management, tourist experiences, and data-driven decision-making processes.
Ozan Kırtay discussed the strategic importance of human resources in tourism. He underlined that sustainable human resource management is critical for service quality and corporate culture in tourism enterprises. Drawing from his experience as Group HR Manager at Merit International Hotels & Resorts, Kırtay noted that team cohesion, employee engagement, and organizational development gain new dimensions in parallel with digital transformation.
Mine Emiroğlu provided an overview of tourism promotion and planning in the TRNC. She shared strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the country’s visibility in international tourism markets. Emiroğlu also outlined public sector projects focused on developing sustainable tourism models, supporting alternative tourism types, and effectively utilizing digital marketing tools.
Tourism and hospitality strategist Şehnaz Çehreli Şefik delivered a presentation titled “New Value Balance in Smart Tourism: Experience, Data, and Sustainability.” She emphasized the importance of data-driven strategies in the tourism sector. Drawing on her international experience in hotel investments, brand positioning, and destination strategies, Şefik highlighted how smart tourism applications enhance visitor experiences while boosting the competitiveness of destinations.
The final speaker, Mazlum Kortaş, presented on “Sustainable Tourism Planning in the TRNC.” He stressed that sustainable destination management is only achievable through long-term planning, public-private sector collaboration, and accurate data analysis.
Emphasis on Smart Tourism and Sustainability
Throughout the panel, speakers emphasized the strong interconnection between digital transformation and sustainability objectives in the tourism sector. Participants noted that smart destination management, data-driven tourism planning, digital marketing strategies, and sustainable human resource practices will be key determinants in shaping future tourism policies.
The program concluded with a Q&A session, allowing panelists to respond to participant questions and share perspectives on the future of the tourism sector.
The panel, organized by Altınbaş Cyprus University, successfully brought together representatives from academia, public institutions, and industry, providing an important platform for exchanging ideas on the sustainable and digital transformation of tourism in the TRNC.
