Research Article

Graduates’ perceptions of professional preparation and development processes of academics in tourism guiding bachelor’s degree at public universities in Türkiye

Volume: 8 Number: 1 July 1, 2026
Yusuf Acar *
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Graduates’ perceptions of professional preparation and development processes of academics in tourism guiding bachelor’s degree at public universities in Türkiye

Abstract

This study aims to examine graduates’ perceptions of professional preparation and development in relation to the license ownership and professional practice status of academics in tourism guiding Bachelor’s degree programs at public universities in Türkiye. The study, structured into two phases, was carried out using a qualitative research design. Data on academic profiles were obtained through document review of publicly available authorized websites of the Council of Higher Education and the Union of Tourist Guides of Türkiye and analyzed using document and content analysis. In the graduate-focused part, data were collected using a qualitative form technique. Participants were selected based on criterion sampling, and an online form developed with expert input reached 25 graduates. The collected data were subjected to content analysis using MAXQDA, and three first-level themes were identified. The study is important as it outlines the current situation in Türkiye while adding an updated perspective to the limited literature. Findings show that as of July 2025, 37 tourism guiding Bachelor’s degrees exist across 35 public universities among 236 academics with various titles, of whom 98 are licensed. Graduate perceptions indicate that academics effectively support professional preparation and development.

Keywords

Türkiye, Bachelor’s Degree Program in Tourism Guiding, Tourist Guide, Public Universities. Graduate Perceptions

Ethical Statement

The study data were collected following approval from the Ethics Committee for Human Research at Aksaray University, Türkiye (approval date: 18.11.2025, protocol number: 2025-490). If an opposing situation is identified, all accountability lies with the author(s), and TO&RE Journal assumes no responsibility.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Tourism (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Publication Date

July 1, 2026

Submission Date

August 13, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 4, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.53601/tourismandrecreation.1764056

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA45ZW68LM

Cite

RIS / Bibtex
APA
Acar, Y. (2026). Graduates’ perceptions of professional preparation and development processes of academics in tourism guiding bachelor’s degree at public universities in Türkiye. Tourism and Recreation, 8(1), 89-100. https://doi.org/10.53601/tourismandrecreation.1764056
AMA
1.Acar Y. Graduates’ perceptions of professional preparation and development processes of academics in tourism guiding bachelor’s degree at public universities in Türkiye. TO&RE. 2026;8(1):89-100. doi:10.53601/tourismandrecreation.1764056
Chicago
Acar, Yusuf. 2026. “Graduates’ Perceptions of Professional Preparation and Development Processes of Academics in Tourism Guiding Bachelor’s Degree at Public Universities in Türkiye”. Tourism and Recreation 8 (1): 89-100. https://doi.org/10.53601/tourismandrecreation.1764056.
EndNote
Acar Y (July 1, 2026) Graduates’ perceptions of professional preparation and development processes of academics in tourism guiding bachelor’s degree at public universities in Türkiye. Tourism and Recreation 8 1 89–100.
IEEE
[1]Y. Acar, “Graduates’ perceptions of professional preparation and development processes of academics in tourism guiding bachelor’s degree at public universities in Türkiye”, TO&RE, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 89–100, July 2026, doi: 10.53601/tourismandrecreation.1764056.
ISNAD
Acar, Yusuf. “Graduates’ Perceptions of Professional Preparation and Development Processes of Academics in Tourism Guiding Bachelor’s Degree at Public Universities in Türkiye”. Tourism and Recreation 8/1 (July 1, 2026): 89-100. https://doi.org/10.53601/tourismandrecreation.1764056.
JAMA
1.Acar Y. Graduates’ perceptions of professional preparation and development processes of academics in tourism guiding bachelor’s degree at public universities in Türkiye. TO&RE. 2026;8:89–100.
MLA
Acar, Yusuf. “Graduates’ Perceptions of Professional Preparation and Development Processes of Academics in Tourism Guiding Bachelor’s Degree at Public Universities in Türkiye”. Tourism and Recreation, vol. 8, no. 1, July 2026, pp. 89-100, doi:10.53601/tourismandrecreation.1764056.
Vancouver
1.Yusuf Acar. Graduates’ perceptions of professional preparation and development processes of academics in tourism guiding bachelor’s degree at public universities in Türkiye. TO&RE. 2026 Jul. 1;8(1):89-100. doi:10.53601/tourismandrecreation.1764056

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