The "Rural Development and Tourism Panel" was held as part of Tourism Week, hosted by the Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMÜ) Faculty of Tourism and Bafra Vocational School of Tourism. The program, which took place in the Hanife Aşcı Conference Hall, was attended by OMÜ Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Alper Kesten, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism Prof. Dr. Yetkin Bulut, Director of the Bafra Vocational School of Tourism Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zuhal Çilingir Ük, representatives of relevant institutions, and students.
The event began with an emphasis on unity for Samsun tourism. At the opening, an art exhibition titled "Turkish Tourism History" was visited. The program then commenced with a moment of silence and the singing of the National Anthem, followed by the first speech delivered by Prof. Dr. Yetkin Bulut.
In his speech, Prof. Dr. Bulut drew attention to the effect of tourism on sustainable and inclusive development in rural areas, stating that this potential contributes to local economies, supports product value chains, and encourages the preservation of cultural and natural heritage. Bulut stated that the uniqueness of rural regions should be promoted, noting that if managed correctly, tourism can increase social development and economic welfare in rural areas. Bulut also touched upon the fact that people living in rural areas often work for lower wages and under precarious conditions compared to urban areas, emphasizing that tourism could be a tool to address this inequality.
Underlining that areas such as Kızılırmak Delta, Sürmeli Village, Nebiyan Mountain, Kapıkaya, Kolay Town, Atakum Kocadağ, Çarşamba Yeşilırmak Delta, Lâdik Lake, and Şahinkaya Canyon have rural tourism potential, Bulut specifically stated that Sürmeli Village has the characteristics to be nominated for the World Tourism Organization's "Best Tourism Village" goals.
The panel was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yasin Keleş from the OMÜ Bafra Şevket Aşcı Faculty of Tourism. Various issues related to rural development and tourism were discussed through presentations by Samsun Provincial Director of Trade Kürşat Turpçu, sector representative Niyazi Kesim, President of the Bafra Sürmeli Women's Association Aşire Yılmaz, President of the Vezirköprü Nerik Women's Cooperative Hatice Kandemir, Research Assistant Dr. Taner Akkoç, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mutlu Kaya.
