Final International University, School of Tourism and Culinary Arts met with Çatalköy-Esentepe Mayor Ceyhun Kırok within the scope of the "Çatalköy-Esentepe region development project".

Final International University (FIU), School of Tourism and Culinary Art’s (STCA) Director and faculty member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nafiya Guden in her statement about the "Çatalköy-Esentepe region development project", said; "As FIU, STCA, we are on the way to achieving our goal of sustainable tourism development across our departments and courses. The main learning outcome of the TRHM306 Tourism Policy and Planning course in our curriculum is to learn how to develop a tourism plan through practical application. For this purpose, Çatalköy, where the main campus of our university is located "The project to develop the Catalkoy-Esentepe region has been included in our training," he said. In order to research and develop a sustainable tourism plan for the region, Güden and her international students met with Çatalköy-Esentepe Mayor Ceyhun Kırok and the students were shown the interesting places and treasures of the region. The situation of the region was discussed between the Mayor and the director of FIU, STCA and the questions of the students were answered. In his speech, Esentepe Çatalköy Municipality Mayor Ceyhun Kırok said; "Çatalköy-Esentepe Municipality is one of the municipalities with the highest bed capacity in the TRNC, which plays an important role in the tourism sector. In order for the region to develop sustainably by creating positive effects on the environment, socio-culture and the economy of the local people, the tourism industry, including tourists and local people, "Awareness of sustainable development principles should be created among all stakeholders. These issues concerning regional tourism were presented to students in an open and transparent manner," he said. Describing in detail all the projects planned to develop the region to meet the needs of the local people and the tourism sector and what has been done so far, Kırok said, "Such projects include the arrangement of social areas, cafeteria and environment in the Tomb of Hazreti Omer; Alagadi social facilities, which hosted its first festival this year." “The social complex has been completed, improved funding for social projects such as improved road signs, lighting signs, cleaning projects, recycling projects, working with sponsors to fund international festivals, sporting events and trips featuring local cultural talent have been among our projects,” he said. Students questioned the carrying capacity and alternative tourism models while touching on the potential of faith tourism, history and culture tourism, hiking and bird watching (especially the Esentepe region), sun, sea and sand, shopping and many more examples of tourism types. The meeting between FIU, STCA and Çatalköy-Esentepe Mayor created the opportunity for further consultancy by the Tourism Department and some projects between the university and the municipality. The educational visit once again raised awareness about the importance of universities and local governments working together in the development of regions and planning their future.