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Message from the Department Chair
Dear Students,
First of al, welcome to the Department of Tourism Guidance at İstanbul Nişantaşı University!
The profession of tour guiding is a unique art that brings together the world’s cultures, the depths of history, and the rich stories of humanity, transforming a journey into an unforgettable experience. We work with great care to equip our students with the competencies required in this field, prepare them for the innovations and chalenges of the sector, and educate them as successful professional guides.
Our aim is not only to provide students with theoretical knowledge, but also to prepare them for professional practice through applied education, improve their language skills, and enhance their cultural awareness. Tourism guidance requires presenting a society’s history, culture, natural beauty, and way of life to others in the best possible manner. For this reason, we aim to educate our students as academicaly competent and socialy and culturaly versatile individuals.
Our academic staff consists of expert faculty members with extensive industry experience and strong academic backgrounds who guide our students throughout their education. Our curriculum and course content are designed in line with the latest developments in tourism and guiding and are structured to meet the needs of our students. Through applied courses, educational trips, internship opportunities, and cooperation with the sector, we offer students opportunities to improve themselves and gain professional experience.
Our department provides many opportunities for students to develop a global perspective, become familiar with different cultures, and acquire a profession recognized worldwide. Through the Erasmus programme, students have opportunities to study and undertake internships abroad. By cooperating with the sector, we also aim to prepare students for professional life after graduation and support them throughout their career journey.
As a guide, your role will not merely be to introduce places; it will be to convey their spirit, bring the past and the future together, and open the doors to entirely different worlds for your visitors. You will tell the story of this world not only through words, but also through passion, emotion, and lived experience. Every step you take will give your guests the opportunity to become part of a story they will never forget.
Tourism guidance is a bridge that gives meaning to people’s experiences, leaves lasting impressions in travellers’ minds, and enables them to view the world from a broader perspective. The beauty of this profession lies in beginning every new day by discovering different cultures, listening to different stories, and continuously learning. A guide is not simply a provider of information, but a cultural ambassador who carries the past into the present, brings differences together, and opens new horizons in people’s minds.
We will be here to support you as you learn the finer points of this profession, discover the magic of different regions and cultures, and gain experiences through which you can improve yourself. Remember that guiding is a journey—not only a physical journey, but also a journey into the world of imagination and the human spirit.
You will face chalenges along this journey, but every chalenge is an opportunity to learn. Every setback brings you one step closer to success. Throughout your education here, we will stand beside you so that each of you can make the best use of your potential, improve yourselves, and, most importantly, pursue your dreams. We expect you to remain open to learning and self-development throughout this process.
During your education, focus not only on your courses but also on your social and personal development. University life is not merely about receiving a diploma; it is also about discovering yourself, forming new friendships, and developing in every aspect of life. Enjoy this process, make use of every opportunity, gain as much experience as possible, and strive to improve yourselves in every respect.
During your time here, you will discover the fascinating world of guiding. I would like you to know that we will be delighted to accompany and support you throughout this journey of discovery. We will stand by you at every stage and achieve meaningful successes together.
Our greatest objective is to educate al students who embark on this journey with us as creative, entrepreneurial, dynamic professionals capable of responding to the needs of the sector. We look forward to sharing with you the excitement of becoming guides to cultures, history, and nature.
I wish you al success as you begin this new journey. May your path be open and your story in guiding be bright, inspiring, unforgettable, and colourful!
With my warmest regards,
Dr. Süheyla Golcheshmeh
İstanbul Nişantaşı University
Chair of the Department of Tourism Guidance
About the Department
The Department of Tourism Guidance at İstanbul Nişantaşı University aims to educate graduates who can present Türkiye’s historical and natural assets and cultural values to domestic and international visitors in the best possible way as voluntary ambassadors of culture and promotion. Accordingly, our University offers an inquiry-based and interpretive educational process that enables graduates to acquire the competencies and qualifications required by the profession in line with cultural and tourism policies. Students wishing to study in this department are expected to possess foreign-language and communication skills, be dynamic and able to travel, demonstrate leadership and solution-oriented thinking, and uphold the values of respect, tolerance, courtesy, and professional ethics.
The Department of Tourism Guidance helps students gain knowledge of tourism activities in Türkiye and around the world, learn national and international tourism-guidance standards, and develop the ability to recognize and communicate with institutions and organizations with which they will interact directly during tour operations, including travel agencies, tour operators, tourism businesses, transportation companies, and organizations operating in gastronomy and recreation. Students learn to identify and interpret tourism destinations, cultures, museums, works of art, and natural and thematic attractions in Türkiye and worldwide. They also develop awareness of the legislation, standards, and fundamental values governing tourism guidance in Türkiye and abroad and are encouraged to practise the profession in accordance with these values. By learning concepts related to tourist psychology, tourist perceptions, and tourist loyalty, students are prepared for the profession with a focus on tourist motivation and satisfaction.
The Department of Tourism Guidance was established to educate competent, knowledgeable, cultured, contemporary professional tourist guides with the foreign-language skills required by the travel and tourism industry. As learning different foreign languages provides graduates with an advantage in professional life, the department’s academic theory courses are supported by field practice and foreign-language courses. In addition to intensive English and second-foreign-language instruction, the Tourism Guidance programme offers compulsory and elective vocational courses that enable students to understand the concepts and principles specific to the profession and improve their practical guiding skills.
Through the departmental curriculum, prospective tourist guides become familiar with the tourism industry in which they will work, learn about the profession, and develop their academic competence. After gaining sufficient theoretical knowledge, students complete an internship course during one summer term as vocational practice in the travel industry. Throughout their education, students become familiar with real professional life through field trips and seminars delivered by invited sector representatives. Tour guiding is an attractive, dynamic, and demanding profession that continualy offers opportunities for personal development. For this reason, particular attention is given to offering a diverse range of elective courses during the third and fourth years of study. Students are also encouraged to broaden their academic qualifications through Double Major and Minor programmes.
Vision
Our vision is to continualy enhance the quality of scientific research and educational activities and to educate contemporary, fair, innovative, creative, reliable, and collaborative guides who investigate, embrace, protect, and promote our natural, historical, and cultural heritage and values. We aim to become a department that contributes to regional development through specialized academic and administrative staff, ranks among the leading choices of students at national and international levels, employs expert academics, and educates qualified professionals needed by the tourism sector, each serving as a voluntary promotional ambassador for their country.
Mission
Our mission is to educate competent and cultured professional tourist guides who possess the skills and foreign-language proficiency required by the travel and tourism industry.
Career Opportunities
Tourism is one of the sectors in which the demand for qualified employees remains consistently high. The Department of Tourism Guidance is among the few academic programmes whose graduates generaly encounter extensive employment opportunities. Students who successfully complete the programme may work as independent tour guides or guides affiliated with travel agencies after participating in domestic field trips organized by the Union of Tourist Guide Chambers (TUREB) under the supervision and oversight of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and meeting the foreign-language proficiency requirements stipulated by the Ministry. Graduates may also work as middle- or senior-level managers in tourism businesses, particularly travel enterprises, as travel-agency information officers, or as museum guides. Graduates who achieve the required score in the Public Personnel Selection Examination may be employed by public institutions and organizations. They may work in numerous public- and private-sector organizations, including the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, municipal tourist information offices, provincial directorates of tourism, event and advertising agencies, export and import departments of private organizations, overseas promotion offices, and airports.
About the Courses
Through its four-year Tourism Guidance education programme, İstanbul Nişantaşı University combines intensive English and second-foreign-language support with compulsory and elective vocational courses, enabling students to understand the concepts and principles specific to tourism guidance and improve their practical skills. The programme helps students gain knowledge of tourism activities in Türkiye and worldwide, learn national and international tourism-guidance standards, and develop the ability to recognize and communicate with travel agencies, tour operators, tourism enterprises, transportation companies, and organizations in fields such as gastronomy and recreation with which they will interact during tour operations. It enables students to identify and interpret tourism destinations, cultures, museums, works of art, and natural and thematic attractions in Türkiye and around the world; become aware of relevant legislation, standards, and fundamental professional values; practise the profession in accordance with these values; and prepare for professional life by learning about tourist psychology, tourist perceptions, tourist loyalty, tourist motivation, and satisfaction. Every course in the Tourism Guidance curriculum contributes directly to the competencies required by the profession.
Atatürk’s Principles and History of the Turkish Revolution I and II are necessary for understanding the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye and its modernization movements and for explaining Türkiye’s history and the significance of Atatürk to visitors in detail. Turkish Language I and II provide knowledge of the Turkish language and literature, support effective communication with domestic tourists, and enable guides to convey cultural information accurately.
The fundamental business knowledge gained through Introduction to Business helps tourist guides conduct their work more professionaly. Introduction to Tourism is important for understanding the tourism sector in general and learning the foundations of the guiding profession. Tourism Legislation and Professional Law enables students to learn the laws and regulations applicable to the tourism sector and ensures that guides act within the legal framework. Sociology of Tourism is important for understanding the social effects of tourism, communicating effectively with tourists, and meeting their expectations. Travel Agency Management and Tour Operations provides knowledge of how travel agencies and tour operators function and supports professional work in tour organization. Effective Communication Techniques develops the communication skills required to interact with tourists effectively and professionaly.
The basic and advanced English grammar and communication skills acquired through English I–II–III–IV are essential for communicating with international tourists effectively, fluently, and professionaly. Advanced English I–II–III develops high-level English-language proficiency required for professional communication. Advanced English and Intensive English further reinforce advanced language skills. Second Foreign Language courses are important for enabling future tourist guides to follow information and communicate with colleagues and guests by developing reading, comprehension, speaking, and writing skills.
Tourism Geography is important for understanding the geographical characteristics of tourism regions and destinations and conveying this information while guiding tourists. Archaeology I and II enable students to acquire archaeological knowledge beginning with prehistoric periods, gain deeper knowledge of archaeological findings from antiquity and the Middle Ages, use this information when introducing historical sites, and guide visitors in historical and archaeological areas. Anatolian Civilizations introduces the civilizations that lived in Anatolia and enables students to explain their remains and cultural heritage to tourists. History of Art provides knowledge of the history of art and major works and enables students to share this knowledge during historical and cultural tours.
History of Religions is required for understanding the historical development of world religions and guiding religious and cultural tours. Iconography is important for understanding the symbolic meanings of religious and mythological figures and conveying this knowledge during art and history tours. Byzantine Art provides knowledge of Byzantine works of art and architecture; Seljuk Art covers the art and architecture of the Seljuk period; and Ottoman Art and Culture provides knowledge of Ottoman art, architecture, and culture and supports guiding at historical sites associated with these periods. Mythology introduces mythological stories and figures, while Ancient Settlements provides knowledge of the settlement areas and archaeological remains of ancient civilizations and enables students to convey this information during cultural and historical tours. Ancient Settlements is a continuation of the Archaeology and History of Art courses taken in previous semesters.
Entrepreneurship develops the skills required to establish and manage a business, helping guides create their own tourism enterprises or manage existing operations more efficiently. Management in Accommodation Establishments provides knowledge of the management of hotels and other accommodation businesses. Software Packages and Automation Systems in Tourism introduces the use of technology and automation in tourism and supports greater efficiency in tour organization.
Turkish Folklore provides knowledge of Turkish folk culture and traditions and enables students to share this knowledge during cultural tours. Cultural Heritage introduces the protection and management of cultural heritage and prepares students to contribute to the promotion and preservation of historical and cultural sites. Flora and Fauna provides knowledge of plant and animal life for use during cultural and nature tours. History and Culture of Food and Beverages provides knowledge of culinary culture and history and supports the accurate communication of this information during gastronomy tours.
The health knowledge and first-aid techniques gained through General Health Knowledge and First Aid are necessary for assisting tourists in emergencies. Professional Ethics in Tourism provides knowledge of ethical principles and practices in tourism and prepares students to work with colleagues and tourists in accordance with ethical standards. Professional Techniques in Tourism Guidance introduces the techniques and practices of tourism guidance and develops the professional skills required in the guiding profession.
Tourism Economics provides knowledge of the economic dimensions of tourism and helps students understand and explain the sector’s economic effects. Tourism Marketing introduces the marketing of tourism products and supports the development of more effective strategies in the tourism sector. Human Resources Management provides knowledge of human-resources management and practices required for managerial roles in tourism businesses. Tourism Planning and Policy develops knowledge of planning and policy-making in tourism and supports strategic decision-making in tourism projects.
Museology provides knowledge of museums and museum management and prepares students to guide in museums and organize museum tours. History of Civilizations introduces the development of civilizations and enables students to communicate this knowledge during historical tours. History of Science provides knowledge of the historical development of science for use during cultural tours. Culture and Art provides in-depth knowledge in these fields and supports the accurate presentation of cultural information. Ottoman Turkish I and II enable students to learn Ottoman Turkish, understand documents and inscriptions from the Ottoman period, and explain them to tourists. Elective courses offered outside the department also contribute to the adoption of an interdisciplinary perspective.
Each of these courses makes an important contribution to the knowledge and skills required by the tourism-guidance profession. Connections are established between courses across semesters so that students can develop their knowledge in related areas. Integrating the courses in each semester enables students to build a comprehensive knowledge base and work effectively in the tourism sector. For example, Archaeology, Anatolian Civilizations, and Byzantine Art provide in-depth knowledge of history and cultural heritage. Tourism Geography and Software Packages and Automation Systems in Tourism provide knowledge of tourism regions and the use of technology in tourism. English and second-foreign-language courses form an essential foundation for effective communication in international tourism.
Evaluating the courses in the Tourism Guidance curriculum from a chronological perspective is important for understanding which courses relate to specific historical events or periods. This approach enables students to understand historical events, processes, and periods more effectively and apply this knowledge in tourism guidance. While each course supports an understanding of historical processes and cultural developments, it also provides the knowledge and skills required by the tourism sector. The curriculum is structured so that the courses taken each semester complement one another and provide comprehensive and integrated education in tourism guidance, demonstrating how students gradualy develop their knowledge throughout the programme.
Programme Educational Objectives
Department-Specific Missions
Programme Learning Outcomes
For the Programme Curriculum and Information Package, please click here.