What was extraordinary was that the guest was the newly appointed Minister of Tourism Ahmet Tan. The Minister was invited to the Tourism Schools on Wednesday, February 2, to make the symbolic inaugural lecture for 1998-1999 Spring Semester following a five-star luncheon prepared and served by the students, who aspire to host many more guests of similar caliber during their future careers.

The Minister was accompanied by Ms. Aylin Tan, his wife; Vahit Aras, his press secretary; Yenal Ünseli, General Director of Tourism Education at the Ministry of Tourism; and a large group of TV and press reporters. The group was welcomed by Rector Ali Doğramacı, Kamer Rodoplu, Director of the Tourism Schools; Prof. Bülent Özgüç, Dean of the Faculty of Art, Design, and Architecture; and other University officials.

Before sitting for the lunch the Minister made a visit to the kitchen and remarked that he was impressed with the hygienic laboratory look of the kitchen, which can serve up to 400 people. Students who served the meal were: Tuba Posbıyık, Elif Özsan, Sehan Kopan, Müjde Toplar, Esra Onural, Kerem Gariboğlu, Cem Temiz, Ebru Özcan, and Serhan Yıldız. Students who prepared the food were: Ebru Duygu, Neval Fırat, Kerem Gürses, İsmet Coşkun, Evren Güçer, Canan Altan, and Ömer Durak.

"Tourism and touristic places are not for foreign tourists only. We all deserve to live and entertain ourselves in a decent environment. Let us get that straight first." Ahmet Tan, Minister of Tourism

"Bilkent knows very well that the road to the heart of any guest passes through the stomach and you've proved it very well today," said the Minister in his inaugural lecture. He also underscored the significance of the tourism sector to Turkey's economy. "The tourism sector has the largest capacity to employ skilled and unskilled labor. Therefore, we need to invest in and train people for this sector." He said he came to Bilkent to learn more than to teach and he encouraged students to participate in his lecture by asking questions. Aslı Sinanoğlu, a fourth year Tourism student, asked the Minister what the future holds for the ministry. Due to his short time in office since elections will be held in April, the Minister declined to discuss long-term plans but instead focused on the next month's activities, which will include visits to some neglected neighborhoods in İstanbul and giving awards to foreign travel agencies who send the highest number of tourists to Turkey. Also, 1999 has been named "The Year of Education and Training in Tourism," therefore, he will take a trip to Sarıkamış, a town in the eastern part of Turkey with wonderful skiing conditions but lacking tourism facilities. The Minister will open a tourism training school in the area during his visit and he hopes to reverse the trend among Turkish skiers of going to Europe for alpine skiing. One-third of the country's tourism income is spent overseas by Turkish tourists, he said.

He concluded his time with the students by complimenting them on Bilkent's pioneering role in tourism education and encouraging them to be in contact with the ministry to communicate the realities and problems of the sector.