One of Türkiye’s Most Established Tourism Education Institutions Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary
One of Türkiye’s Most Established Tourism Education Institutions Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary
Balıkesir University Faculty of Tourism, one of Türkiye’s most long-established tourism education institutions, celebrated its 50th anniversary with a major reunion event. Held in Balıkesir between 13–16 November 2025, the “BİTYO/BTİOYO/Faculty of Tourism 50th Anniversary Reunion” brought together the faculty’s half-century of educational heritage with alumni, academics, and students.
Approximately 1,300 graduates from nearly every academic period attended the event. Balıkesir University Rector Prof. Dr. Yücel Oğurlu, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Cevdet Avcıkurt, Prof. Dr. Murat Doğdubay, and Prof. Dr. Fatih Satıl, along with Secretary General Yemliha Yanar, also participated in different parts of the program, sharing in the pride of the faculty’s 50th anniversary.
Alumni from All Around the World Gathered in Balıkesir
In addition to graduates from various cities across Türkiye, alumni from Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, China, and Japan also took part in the program. Among the attendees were individuals whose paths once crossed with the Faculty of Tourism, including university rectors, mayors, founders of major hotel chains, the owner of the world’s second-largest tour operator, and hotel executives who lead strong brands in Türkiye and Europe.
The event began with a tree-planting ceremony for a memorial forest established in memory of Ata Emre Akman at the Çağış Campus. It continued with a rich program including theatrical performances, folk dance shows, music recitals, sports competitions, a gala dinner, and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Atatürk Monument, and concluded with a breakfast program at the faculty.
Alumni and Students Together
The main reunion program, held at the Atatürk Congress and Culture Center, began with a moment of silence and the singing of the Turkish National Anthem. Opening speeches were delivered by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Cevdet Avcıkurt, Anex Tourism Group Founder and BTİOYO graduate Neşet Koçkar—known as the owner of Türkiye’s largest and the world’s second-largest tour operator—BTİOYO Alumni Association President Feridun Ergün, and Faculty of Tourism Dean Prof. Dr. Ahmet Köroğlu. The speakers shared the pride of the faculty’s 50-year legacy, highlighting both its deep-rooted past and its strong current position. Plaques were presented not only to diploma program graduates but also to those who contributed to the 50th anniversary events.
The event also fostered intergenerational interaction by bringing alumni and students together, and featured commemorative matches in football, basketball, and volleyball.
The weekend segment of the program concluded with a gala night, a visit to the former school, and a breakfast gathering at the faculty.
A Strong 50-Year Brand Adding Value to Balıkesir
In addition to graduates working throughout Türkiye in the tourism sector, more than 300 academics who graduated from BİTYO/BTİOYO/Faculty of Tourism currently serve at universities. Alumni have been gathering annually in Antalya and other cities, and for the past 25 years, they have come together in Balıkesir every five years for multi-day reunion events. Beyond contributing to the local economy by supporting local businesses, alumni also act as ambassadors of Balıkesir, promoting the city both in Türkiye and around the world.
