General Information About the Department

The Department of Tourism Guidance was established within the Faculty of Tourism, which was opened in its place following the closure of the School of Tourism and Hotel Management by the Council of Ministers' Decree No. 2013/4694, published in the Official Gazette No. 28649 dated May 16, 2013, issued by the Gümüşhane University Rectorate. The department began accepting students in the 2018-2019 academic year and graduated its first students in the 2021-2022 academic year. The department's academic staff includes four associate professors, one faculty member, and two research assistants.

Level of Proficiency Achieved

A Bachelor's degree in Tourism Guidance is awarded to students who successfully complete all courses in the program (equivalent to a total of 240 ECTS credits), achieve a weighted grade point average of at least 2.0 out of 4.00, and complete 60 days of workplace training (on-the-job professional practice) in businesses approved by the department board.

Degree Earned

Licence

Acceptance and Registration Conditions

Admission and registration procedures are governed by the Higher Education Law and its regulations. Students are admitted to faculty based on the results of the Higher Education Institutions Exam (YKS) administered by the Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM). Admission to undergraduate programs is based solely on YKS scores.

Candidates who have achieved satisfactory scores on the Basic Proficiency Test (TYT) and Foreign Language Test (YDT) at our faculty will be registered on the dates determined by the Council of Higher Education. Required documents for registration include a high school diploma or equivalent and a placement result document issued by ÖSYM.

Recognition of Prior Learning

• Horizontal transfers within and between institutions are made in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation on Transfer Between Associate and Undergraduate Programs, Double Majors, Minors and Inter-Institutional Credit Transfers in Higher Education Institutions, published in the Official Gazette dated 24/04/2010 and numbered 27561.
• Vertical transfer procedures for students who have gained the right to start an undergraduate program as a result of the exam conducted by ÖSYM are carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation on the Continuation of Undergraduate Education of Vocational Schools and Open Education Associate Degree Program Graduates, published in the Official Gazette dated 19/2/2002 and numbered 24676.
• Course exemption procedures are carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 14 of the Gümüşhane University Associate and Undergraduate Education-Teaching and Examination Regulation, published in the Official Gazette dated 29/12/2011, issue 28157.

Program Profile

Our program employs faculty and staff members who are experts in their fields. Necessary practices and studies are conducted alongside the courses. The primary objective of the tourism guidance department is to provide a scientific and high-quality education and training process. To this end, we aim to train qualified tour guides who speak at least one foreign language, are familiar with their country's history, geography, and culture, have strong interpersonal skills, and possess problem-solving skills.

Program Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the program will:

1) Acquire advanced knowledge of concepts, principles, and facts related to management, marketing, business, and economics, as well as history, geography, and culture in the field of tourism and tour guiding.

2) Know and apply research methods in the field of tourism and tour guiding.

3) Be knowledgeable about legal regulations, professional standards, rights, and obligations related to the tour guiding profession.

4) Know current problems related to tourism and tour guiding; can analyze these problems; engage in discussions; and produce scientific solutions using an analytical approach.

5) Apply the theoretical knowledge acquired in tour organization, tour planning, and management within the field of tour guiding in the workplace.

6) By analyzing changes in tourism, they can monitor new trends, new approaches, new marketing, business and management approaches, and service processes, and make sufficient contributions.

7) They can convey information acquired about tourism and tour guiding to interested or unrelated parties, both verbally and in writing.

8) They take responsibility and work productively on projects related to tourism and tour guiding, either independently or in collaboration with others.

9) They develop a positive attitude towards lifelong learning. In this context, they enhance the professional knowledge and skills of their guidance colleagues, while also developing themselves personally and professionally.

10) They communicate both verbally and in writing in a foreign language at least at the European Language Portfolio B1 General Level. They also possess sufficient knowledge of a second foreign language to facilitate communication.

11) They use computer software and information and communication technologies at least at the Advanced Level of the European Computer User License required in their field.

12) Guidance professionals adhere to business ethics and perform their duties within the framework of the laws required by their profession.

13) They act with awareness of the protection of the social, natural, and cultural environment, social rights, and occupational health and safety.

14) They are mindful of human health, hygiene, and appearance.

Graduates Employment Profiles and Fields of Work

The tourism sector, with its economic contribution and impact on employment, is considered a smokeless industry and is growing daily. A crucial sector for our country, the tourism sector requires a qualified, educated workforce with strong foreign language skills, general knowledge, and a strong technological infrastructure. The primary objective of the tourism guidance department is to provide a workforce that possesses theoretical knowledge in the field, the knowledge and skills required for the profession, (a good command of) a foreign language, management skills, decision-making and implementation skills, closely monitors current developments and needs in global tourism, prioritizes human relations, continuously improves itself, and possesses a vision to meet this demand for qualified personnel. Throughout their education, tourism guidance students receive theoretical and practical training in areas that will enhance their professional knowledge in the field of tourism guidance. Equipped with the theoretical foundation required for the profession, students also develop their foreign language, management, and communication skills. Graduates of our tourist guidance program qualify to become licensed professional tour guides by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism if they participate in practical trips organized by professional chambers and/or the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey and pass the foreign language proficiency exam. They also have employment opportunities in various fields, including the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, travel agencies, hotel establishments, airline companies, and provincial directorates of tourism.

Transition to Higher Degree Programs

Candidates who successfully complete their undergraduate education can study in postgraduate programs provided that they receive a passing score from the Academic Personnel and Postgraduate Education Entrance Exam (ALES) and have sufficient knowledge of the English language.