Altınbaş Cyprus University Hosts Panel on “Sustainability in Smart and Digital Tourism in the TRNC”
Altınbaş Cyprus University hosted the panel titled “Sustainability in Smart and Digital Tourism in the TRNC.” Organized in collaboration with the Tourism Research, Application and Development Center (TUGEM) and the Continuing Education and Research Center of Altınbaş Cyprus University, the panel addressed the tourism sector within the framework of sustainability, digital transformation, and smart tourism applications.
The panel, held at Concorde Tower Hotel in Nicosia, was moderated by Assist. Prof. Dr. Elif Şenyücel. During the event, the current state of the tourism sector, sustainable tourism policies, and the future of smart tourism practices were discussed from different perspectives.
The speakers of the event included Prof. Dr. Muharrem Tuna (Dean of the Faculty of Tourism, Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University), Mine Emiroğlu (Director of the TRNC Tourism Promotion Department), Ozan Kırtay (Cluster Human Resources Manager, Merit International Hotels & Resorts), Şehnaz Çehreli Şefik (Tourism and Hospitality Strategist, Founder and Managing Director of Çehreli Consulting), and Mazlum Kortaş (Director of the TRNC Tourism Planning Department). The speakers shared their insights on the sustainable development of tourism, technology and data-driven smart tourism applications, the role of public policies, and the future of tourism planning.
The panel also highlighted the emerging balance between experience, data, and sustainability in the tourism sector, as well as sustainable tourism policies and tourism planning processes in the TRNC. Bringing together representatives from academia, the public sector, and the tourism industry, the panel emphasized the importance of collaboration and strategic approaches for the future of tourism.
The event, which attracted significant interest from participants, concluded with a question-and-answer session. The panel aimed to raise awareness about sustainability and digital transformation in the tourism sector while strengthening knowledge sharing among stakeholders.
