Tourism Week Event – Visit to Edirne High School

As part of the 49th Tourism Week celebrations, academic staff from the Department of Tourism Management at Trakya University Faculty of Applied Sciences, along with the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Dr. Gökhan Sönmezler, visited Edirne High School on April 16, 2025, to engage with students and promote tourism education.

During the visit, Prof. Dr. Emel Gönenç Güler, Head of the Department of Tourism Management, delivered a presentation titled "Tourism Education in Edirne" to high school students, introducing the Department of Tourism Management at the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Trakya University. The presentation provided detailed information on the department’s past activities and achievements. It was also emphasized that the department has successfully completed a six-year accreditation process and continues to contribute qualified graduates to the tourism sector.

Students were informed about the department's academic accomplishments, its influence in the field, and the tourism potential of Edirne. The presentation also highlighted current developments in the tourism industry and the opportunities tourism education offers to young individuals. Additionally, the role of tourism in regional development, the importance of qualified human resources, and the significance of university-industry collaboration were underscored.

A notable aspect of the visit was the social responsibility component. Birdhouses prepared by students from the Department of Tourism Management were brought as gifts to Edirne High School. Representing the department’s commitment to social responsibility, these birdhouses will be placed in the school’s garden.

During the visit, Atıl Erman, President of the Edirne High School Education Foundation (ELEV), provided a tour of the Edirne High School Museum. He offered a fluent and comprehensive narrative about the school’s deep-rooted history and its notable alumni, which was listened to with great interest by the academic staff and participants. His presentation was found to be both impressive and highly informative.

This meaningful and productive visit served not only as a valuable Tourism Week event but also as an important step toward strengthening the collaboration between Trakya University and Edirne High School.