Seminar Series of the Faculty of Applied Sciences –Spring 2024– 4. Seminar

Dear Students of the Faculty of Applied Sciences,

You are kindly informed to welcome the Presidents of SKÅL International   Ms. Hülya Aslantaş (2008-2009), Mr. Salih Çene (2014-2015) and, Ms. Burçin Türkkan (2022) as the guest speaker of the seminar series.

Date      : Thursday, 25 April 2024

Time      : 14:40-15:30

Place     : AB-3 / Law Auditorium

Ms. Hülya Aslantaş                              Mr. Salih Çene                         Ms. Burçin Türkkan  

Ms. Hülya Aslantaş is a graduate of Notre Dame de Sion French High School and Bosphorus University, Business Administration Faculty. She started her career in tourism in 1984, together with her husband, and they founded Universal Travel Services, which is today one of the leading destination management companies of Türkiye. In 1995, they established a joint venture company with Europe Tax Free Shopping to launch Tax Free services for tourists. She is currently the President  of Global Blue - Türkiye

She was the Vice President of TÜRSAB (Association of Turkish Travel Agencies) from 2000 to 2004, World President of SKÅL International (Association of World Tourism Professionals) from 2008 to 2009, and President of TMD from 2017 to 2019.

She speaks English, French, and German.

Mr. Salih Çene was born in Istanbul in 1950. He has a higher national diploma in “Hotel and Catering Administration” from Westminister Technical College-London, UK. Mr. Salih Çene has been in the Travel and Tourism industry since 1969. As a “hotelier”, he spent 50 years of this period at top management or partner/CEO positions of various firms, hotels, and chains. He also gives educational seminars by taking part in the Tourism Education programs and symposiums of various universities. Between 2016-2019, he served the sector as a freelance consultant by assisting with Operational Management, Project Development, System Analysis, Pre-opening, Organization and Re-organization. Mr. Salih Çene has more than 200 articles published in various industry magazines and the press and worked as a columnist for the Akşam Newspaper’s extra issue. Mr. Salih Çene has been a SKÅL member since 1980 and has taken office at every level of SKÅL International. In October 2014, he was elected the World President of SKÅL International - at the SKÅL AGM in Mexico City and delivered his chain of office in October 2015 at the SKÅL AGM in Torremolinos-Spain. Also, Mr. Salih Çene held office at various organizations such as the “Professional Hotel Managers Association (POYD-Founder Member)”, “International Hotels & Restaurants Association (IHRA)”, and ALTİD (Alanya Touristic Operators Association), AKTOB (Antalya Touristic Operators Association). He still contributes to some social projects of local and national NGOs. He also is the term President of  “Antalya Dostlar Platformu”. He can speak English and German.  

Ms. Burçin Türkkan is a dynamic and accomplished executive with over 25 years of experience spanning international HR, finance, education, innovation, business strategy, and operations specializing in Travel and Tourism. Her entrepreneurial journey is marked by founding several companies, including USEH International Training Services, International Training and Education Canada, and New Era Business Innovation and Management Consulting. She was the global President of SKÅL International in 2022.

Educationally, Ms.Burçin Türkkan shines as a valedictorian from Bilkent University with a B.Sc. Degree in Tourism and Hotel Management, an MBA from Johnson and Wales University, and a Certified Hospitality Educator Designation from AHLEI. She is also a Graduate Certificate holder in Leadership in 21st Century Organizations from Copenhagen Business School and was recently accepted to pursue her Ph.D. in Hospitality Management at Rosen College at UCF, USA.

Her extensive recognitions include the Bill Sweet Award from SKÅL USA, a Certificate of Recognition from the Tourism Ministry of Mexico, and the Order of Merit from SKÅL International, among others, showcasing her impactful contributions to international tourism development and leadership.

Ms. Burçin Türkkan's involvement with SKÅL International highlights her leadership journey, starting from her membership at SKÅL Atlanta Club in 2007 to her presidency in 2014, and culminating in her historic role as the first Turkish American President of the SKÅL USA Executive Board in 2018 and the first American female elected to the SKÅL International EB and as the first female President from the USA in 2022.

Having lived, studied, and worked in six different countries, Ms. Türkkan has settled in Atlanta, GA, USA, for the past 22 years, where she enjoys playing competitive tennis, traveling, and skiing.

Ms. Burçin Türkkan's perspective of international markets specializing in the tourism and hospitality industry, particularly in integrating “Artificial Intelligence” into the travel and tourism industry to enhance customer experiences and improve operational efficiency. Her articles and thought leadership on AI, travel and tourism, and global business strategies are featured on the “New Era Business Innovation” and “Management Consulting” blog.

In the seminar class, Ms. Hülya Aslantaş, Mr. Salih Çene, and Ms. Burçin Türkkan will present on "Tourism in the Past, Tourism Today, Tourism in the Future".