International Festival of Tourism The place of opportunities Nomination: Hospitality School Awards - 2015 Category: Best Educational Innovation Since 2010 year
Introduction Antalya Academy of Tourism is licensed by the Ministry of Education, Turkey and accredited by American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (EI-AH & LA). Education system is based on EI-AHLA, BKF educational programs and combines the best traditions and vast experience of international education in this area. Career opportunities for the Academy of Tourism graduates: The hospitality and tourism industry nowadays is the second largest employer after government institutions. The Academy's graduates can be employed in: administration centers of tourism management institutions of municipal up to federal level; economy departments of companies and businesses; food and beverage businesses and restaurants; travel agencies and travel operators; fair and exhibition organizations; tour agencies; fitness centers; shopping malls; entertainment centers, etc; event agencies; hotels.
Partners International Tourism Festival for youth in Antalya is an open public cultural and educational event annually organized by Antalya Academy of Tourism in association with Antalya City Hall (Antalya Büyükşehir Belediyesi), Ministry of Tourism in Turkey (T.C. Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı), the largest tour operators and the best hotels of Antalya,Turkey.
Content International Tourism Festival organized by Antalya Academy of Tourism in Antalya is a unique opportunity, which was created for youth to gain experience of communication in international field, to express themselves in different competitions, as well as to find job opportunities at Career Expo with the best employers in tourism sphere and visit different types of hotels. International Tourism Festival is also created to popularize and develop one of the biggest sphere - hospitality industry for the youth. Students of Antalya Academy of Tourism take a significant part in organization of the Festival. They are using knowledge which they have gained during the lectures: Meeting people at the airport Organizing transfers to the hotel Check- in/out the guests Problem-solving and helping the participants Guiding tours and excursions during the Festival
Participants Guests and participants of the Festival are from European countries, CIS, the Republic of Turkey, African & Asian countries: students of secondary schools; college and university students; youth communities and associations (groups and clubs which deal with tourists and regional studies) The age of festival participants is between 13 and 25 years old.
Objectives and Tasks The main objectives: Orientate school students, youth tourism communities students to study tourism and search the dynamics of tourism development in the Republic of Turkey; Orientate the participants of the festival to get education in tourism and hospitality in the Republic of Turkey; Promote and encourage creative activity of young people who are engaged in tourism and study achievements of tourism industry in Turkey; Familiarize participants of the festival with the traditions and culture, modern tourism industry and hospitality in the Republic of Turkey; Broaden the mind of the festival participants in the tourism sphere and cultural heritage of different countries; Promote the development of cross-cultural communications among young people from different countries; Promote gaining practical experience among young people in the sphere of hospitality and tourism. The main tasks: show achievements in the tourism and hospitality industry of the Turkish Republic; hold competitions according to the subject of the festival; contribute to the exchange of educational experience in the sphere of tourism and hospitality; conduct historical educational tours; prepare a photo gallery Modern tourism through the eyes of the youth ; perform activities for organization of practical trainings and job placements for students from different countries in the Republic of Turkey;
The Festival Program The Festival program includes: opening session of the festival; familiarization tours to the best hotels in Antalya region; competition of the presentations on the topic The development of tourism in the modern world: history and prospects ; photographic competition on the topic Modern tourism through the eyes of youth ; intellectual game Brain Ring sport competition Adventure race ; 100% scholarship competition (free education at Antalya Academy of Tourism) career expo and practical trainings in Turkey tours to historical sites and remarkable sights in Antalya region; Closing ceremony of the festival and winners award
Description of competitions The development of tourism in the modern world: history and prospects As a part of the conference, participants present their projects that include innovative solutions in the field of tourism. Teenagers develop new tourist routes, recommendations for hotels and tourism companies, and other activities for the field of tourism. The level of participants research is surprising the jury. And the best works are recommended to be put into practice. Modern tourism through the eyes of youth Photo exhibition is one of the most exciting stage of the competition. All the works are divided into several categories. The winner is announced in each category. The most exciting thing is that the winners are chosen by viewers.
Brain Ring Brain Ring is an intellectual competition of all teams. Participants are asked questions from different categories (tourism, history, ethnography, hotel management, geography, regional geography, ect). Only erudite students can answer such complicated questions. The winning team receives a special prize - the Crystal Globe. The questions of the games are made according to the following categories: Tourism and recreation, Hospitality, Countries in the world, Pupils and students.
Adventure Race The day in the countryside. It is the most spectacular and exciting competition. Teenagers compete in coherence, endurance, ability to make decisions quickly. This competition helps to develop team building qualities, demonstrate the abilities and practical knowledge of participants. The teams of the countries which participate in the Festival are invited to participate in the competition. Team composition is 4-8 students. Adventure race is held in two age categories: junior (students of the 8-11 forms) and senior (students of colleges and universities). Sports and entertaining activity Adventure race contains several stages that are sports, teambuilding and geographical competitions. For each stage the team is given a certain number of points depending on success of overcoming the stage.
Additional events Career expo and practical trainings in Turkey The best employers of tourism sector (hotels, tour operators, restaurants) in Antalya region are happy to offer participants of the Festival of Tourism interesting job positions. Even if participants are still young, they have a unique opportunity to determine their future profession. Tours to historical sites and remarkable sights in Antalya region Tourism Festival is not only competitions. Its program contains interesting and informative excursions. Participants get acquainted with the history of Turkey, visit ancient cites and national museums, monuments of civilization and enjoy unique beauty of nature. Yacht trips, hiking, rafting on the mountain river and much more...
100% Scholarship competition The main event of the Festival of Tourism is a final competition for scholarship for free education at the Antalya Academy of Tourism. Teams and participants, who were smarter, more coordinated than others are taking part in the competition for scholarship. Each year the organizers come up with new terms for this contest. This year, the task was the following: participants had to present their work on the theme "Why do I want to study abroad?" It should be noted that the terms did not limit anyone: participants could write an essay, make a drawing or crafts, or make a video or sing a song. The final competition for the scholarship - is not just a competition, it is an opportunity to make dream come true for everyone. It proves once again that the Tourism Festival is a place of great opportunities.
Research During the Festival a sociological study among the participants and visitors was conducted. The aim is to get feedback about the event. This is important in order to be aware of all the benefits and drawbacks to make the Festival better and better each year. We believe that every next Festival will be bigger and more international, more colorful and interesting, and of course more significant for the tourism and hospitality development not only in Turkey but also in the whole world.
Costs and applicability Tourism Festival is an important cultural event for Antalya. That is why city municipalities are involved as partners: the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Turkey, the city authorities, the largest hotels and tour operators. It helps not only to reduce the cost of the festival but also obtain profits. Financial and non-financial profits help to develop educational process of the Antalya Academy of Tourism (organizer of the festival) and start new innovative projects. Hotels provide rooms for the participants and provide them with food at a discounted price. This allows students from any part of the earth, from any family take part in the Festival. Tour operators offer cheap tickets for the participants. Ministry and the local authorities provide full support in most important aspects. Thanks to affordable price and applicability, the Festival can be held by every educational Institution. It should be noted that this kind of event can be organized without difficulties. That s why Antalya Academy of Tourism is ready to share experience of holding International Tourism Festival and help interested institutions.
Review from participants Hello, I come from Latvia. My name is Carla. It is my second time here. I am happy to be a part of this big event. I met so many people here, some of them I already knew from my last year here. I m thankful for organizers for these unique opportunity given for all future hoteliers & restaurateurs. I met new people and just had fun in the beautiful place called Antalya. Hello my name is John. I am 20 years old and I am from Cameroon. It is my first time here in Antalya taking part in Festival. I learned about this festival from my friends and I am so happy that I can check my knowledge in Tourism Sphere, to talk with people who have the same interests and just spend good time and visit new places. Thanks everyone for organizing this kind of event on high level.
Review from students Hello, my name is Pavel. I'm from Russia. I am a second year student of Antalya Academy of Tourism. During my participation in International Tourism Festival I met a lot of interesting people. Thanks to the Festival I learned a lot of interesting things that help me not only in the professional activity but also in everyday life. I m Diana. I'm from Moldovia. During my education in Academy every year we had International Tourism Festival. After the 2nd year of my study in the Academy I took part in the Festival. It gave me a lot of experience in dealing with people from different countries, nationalities and ages. It was unforgettable time and I would love to repeat it.
Review from partners We are expressing gratitude to the organizers of the International Tourism Festival for the professional approach. When we were asked to be a partner of this event we had no doubt and did not regret about it. Representatives of the Antalya Academy of Tourism came to the meeting and offered an optimal plan of cooperation. It was gratifying to have fruitful business relations, as well as successful partnership in developing concept of the festival. Our company is very pleased with the results of this cooperation and we hope that in the future we will be the part of similar events. Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Turkey would like to thank the Antalya Academy of Tourism for the organization and success of the International Tourism Festival. This event not only popularizes and develops tourism in the Antalya region, but also allows students from all round the world to share experience and new acquaintances. The team of Rixos Hotels Mesut Ozbek Director of Foreign Relations and EU Coordination Ministry of Culture and Tourism
Innovation The Tourism Festival is an innovative project created by Antalya Academy of Tourism. The first innovative thing about this Festival is connecting people from all over the world in one of the most popular tourist destination Antalya; connecting people who are already referring to the tourism or the ones who want to build their career in this sphere. All competitions, events and activities are focused on tourism and hospitality. The international tourism festival is a place of meeting employers and youth and a chance to study abroad for free. And the last but not the least is that the students of Antalya Academy of tourism are taking a significant part in organization of International Tourism Festival so they can use their knowledge which they are taking during the lectures. This experience will help them later during their work.
New Experience Adventures Events Historical places The International Tourism Festival New knowledge Opportunities New friends Sea, Sun and Sand The best hotels in Antalya
In the End Last spring the 6 th International tourism Festival was held on the high level. There were more than 500 participants from 15 countries. Academy of Tourism was awarded by Ministry of Tourism in Turkey for contribution to tourism development. Next year we will try to make our best to repeat success of previous years. We invite everyone to take part in upcoming Festival. Contact information: Telephone (Antalya): +90 242 324 24 07 Free call in Russia 8-800-100-09-22 Telephone (Moscow) +7 499 703 02 36 Telephone (Almaty) +7 727 318 51 15 Fax: +90 242 323 14 62 Web: www.antcol.com e-mail: international@antcol.com Address: Fener Mah, Bulent Ecevit Bulvari, 60-62 Antalya, TURKEY