Department of Tourist Guidance – Mersin University Faculty of Tourism

The Department of Tourist Guidance, operating under the Faculty of Tourism at Mersin University, began its academic activities in the Fall Semester of 2015–2016 with an initial intake of 60 students. As the third department of our faculty, it aims to educate qualified, culturally competent, communication- and leadership-oriented professional tourist guides who can meet the evolving needs of the tourism industry.

Our curriculum integrates theoretical knowledge with practical training and is designed to meet the standards and requirements of the field. Students gain an in-depth understanding of Türkiye’s historical, cultural and natural heritage, while also developing ethical awareness, professional responsibility and intercultural communication skills essential for the guiding profession.

🎯 Mission

The mission of our department is to train professional tourist guides who can convey Türkiye’s rich natural, historical and cultural heritage to visitors with deep knowledge, strong interpretive skills and effective communication abilities.

In this direction, our aims are to educate individuals who are:

• Respectful of ethical values,

• Able to follow and adapt to professional innovations,

• Capable of offering guests memorable experiences beyond what is written in tour itineraries,

• Contributing to the dissemination of tourism awareness in society.

🌍 Vision

The Department of Tourist Guidance envisions becoming a respected and preferred higher-education unit that:

• Engages in effective collaboration with the Association of Turkish Tourist Guides (TUREB), the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA), and other national and international tourism organizations,

• Trains future academics through master’s, doctoral and distance-learning programs,

• Encourages its academic staff to become WFTGA-accredited tourist guide trainers,

• Ensures that its graduates are recognized in the sector as knowledgeable, respectful, culturally sensitive and professional guides.

Our department embraces the principle of “growing not in quantity, but in quality.”

📚 Curriculum and Courses

The Tourist Guidance curriculum is designed in accordance with the standards determined by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Association of Turkish Tourist Guides (TUREB) and the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA).

The program includes a wide range of courses that support students’ professional development and equip them with the competencies required by the guiding profession.

In addition, students reinforce their theoretical knowledge through internships, field practices and technical excursions, gaining essential experience in real tourism environments.

💼 Graduates and Career Opportunities

Graduates of our department:

• Are eligible to obtain a Professional Tourist Guide License (“kokart”) issued by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and can actively work as licensed guides,

• Can take managerial or specialist positions in travel agencies, tour operators and destination management organizations,

• May pursue an academic career and become scholars in the field of Tourist Guidance.

🌟 In Conclusion

Mersin University Department of Tourist Guidance continues to be a leading unit in tourism education in Türkiye, with a commitment to transforming knowledge into experience and training qualified, ethical and culturally aware tourist guides.