Bachelors of Arts (BA) in Tourism Guidance at Yasar University: $8.000/year (Scholarship Available)
Overview
As the department has joint courses with the Department of Tourism Management, students have the opportunity to access a variety of courses, double major and minor programmes. All classes and laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art computer systems, making instruction highly effective, as well as relevant to the current tourism sector situation. The language of instruction is English. Students also have the opportunity to learn a second foreign language (such as Russian, German or French), which provides the added opportunity of becoming tourism guides in these languages. Students can also become familiar with the IT programmes frequently used in the tourism and travel industry, such as the Computer Assisted Reservation Systems and Central Reservation Systems. They also have the opportunity to take short or long term internships and education abroad through the Erasmus Student Exchange Programme. In addition, the Yaşar University Department of Tourism Management is a member of the European Network of Universities of Applied Sciences in Tourism (ACEEPT) and participates in the annual conferences and seminars, which have been held in different countries over the last five years.
Programme structure
The department provides the necessary
602 course hours, which is required for
certification by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The range of courses include General Tourism Information and Tourism Legislation, Vocational Tourism Guidance, Turkey’s Tourism Geography and Introduction to Tourism, General Turkish History and Culture, Archaeology, Mythology, History of Art, History of Religions and Sociology, Turkish Literature, General Health Information and First Aid, Social Behaviour and Communication, as well as the History of Anatolian Civilizations. In addition to these compulsory classes, the department also offers other courses such as Basic Management of Information, Economics, Management and Organization, Basic Accounting for Tour Operators and Travel Management. Students also have to complete a compulsory 30-day internship, where they have the opportunity during their education to experience business life and gain professional skills.
Career opportunities
Graduates of this department can find employment in travel agencies or set up their own businesses. Tourist guides may work in tourism offices or museums in the touristic regions, introducing the historical culture and natural heritage to local or international tourists. There is a growing need for tourist guides, particularly for those who can assist Russian, German or Chinese tourists, who are traveling in increasing numbers, and thus creating a wealth of opportunity for those graduates who are fluent in a range of foreign languages or who can speak the less commonly spoken languages. To sum up, graduates of this department have the opportunity to work as professional tourist guides for international travel agencies, at local and regional travel agencies, at transportation companies, or as independent tour operators.