Şerif Yenen (born 17 May 1963) is a Turkish travel specialist, tour guide, travel writer, film-maker, international keynote speaker and lecturer. He wrote Turkish Odyssey in English, the “first guidebook of Turkey ever written by a Turk”.[1][2]

Şerif Yenen
Şerif Yenen (2010)
Born (1963-05-17) May 17, 1963 (age 61)
NationalityTurkish
Known forTurkish Odyssey
Websitewww.serifyenen.com

Yenen gives lectures about travel and Turkish history and culture, the majority of which are in academic communities.[3][4][5][6] His guidebooks are used as textbooks or are on suggested reading lists at various universities,[7][8][9] and his articles and columns are published in international magazines and national newspapers.[10][11][12]

Biography

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Early life and education

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Şerif Yenen was born into a middle-class family in the town of Ödemiş near Izmir in 1963. After completing middle school in Ödemiş, when he was fourteen, he passed the entrance exams and became a military student at the Kuleli Military High School in Istanbul, where the instruction was mainly in English. After high school he was accepted in the Department of English Literature and Linguistics at the University of Istanbul as a military student. After graduation from the university in 1985, he became an officer in the Turkish Military Forces, and taught English as a second language for four years at the Maltepe Military High School in Izmir. He left the Army in 1989 and attended tourist guide training programs offered by the Ministry of Tourism of Turkey and became qualified as a national tourist guide.

Career

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While working as a tourist guide, he published his guidebook, Turkish Odyssey in English (turkishodyssey.com), in 1997. The content and the design of his website gained attention in the media and won numerous awards.[13][14][15] He published the multimedia version of the same work as a CD-ROM in 2001.

Yenen has held elected positions on the boards of various organizations in the tourism sector:

  • President of the Istanbul Tourist Guides' Guild (IRO) 2002-2015[16][17]
  • President of the Federation of Turkish Tourist Guide Associations (TUREB) 2002 - 2013[18][19]
  • President of the Tourist Guides Foundation (TUREV), 2002 – 2009[20][21]
  • Executive board member of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA),[22][23] and editor-in-chief of the Guidelines Internetion@l magazine,[24][25] 2003 – 2007
  • Vice President of Turkish Travel Agencies and Tourist Guides Assembly, established as a tourism council within TOBB (The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey) 2006 - 2013.[26][27]
  • Member of the Consultative Committee for Istanbul 2010 Cultural Capital of Europe[28]

Yenen regularly wrote a weekly column in the Mediterranean supplement of the Turkish newspaper Akşam between 2006 and 2009 under the heading A Tourist Guide’s Perspective.[11][29]

Şerif Yenen, who has been attracting media attention for his endeavors[30][31][32] as the chairman of IRO and TUREB to make sure that the occupational bill of law for the tourist guides of Turkey is passed by the parliament, played a decisive role in 2012[33][34][35] during the process of drawing up and passage of the law, which had been much anticipated by the tourist guides for the past 40 years. As a result of his endeavors, the occupational law was promulgated in the Official Gazette and entered into force on June 22, 2012. Thus, tourist guiding was defined as a profession in Turkey.[36]

He has given private guide services to celebrities or statesmen, among whom are Pope Benedict XVI,[37] Oprah Winfrey,[38] Princess Michael of Kent,[39] Lester Holt from Today Show-NBC,[40][41] etc.

Yenen's second guidebook was the 488-page Quick Guide Istanbul, then started "Istanbul", "Culture" and "Turkey" series of his Quick Guide Pamphlets.[42][43] These are user friendly and informative fold-out pamphlets of museums, monuments and cultural highlights. While working as an active tourist guide, Şerif Yenen gives lectures[3][4][6] and training for tourist guides.[44][45] In addition to his positions at various tourism organizations, he is consulted on TV programs and juries.[46][47][48]

He has produced a travel documentary film on Istanbul in 2014: Istanbul Unveiled.[49][50] Şerif Yenen gives lessons on Anatolian Civilizations and Cultural Heritage of Turkey at the Bilgi and Boğaziçi Universities as a part-time instructor.[51][52]

Awards

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Year Organisation Award
2021 International Rotary 2420 Regional Federation Rotary Award for Excellence in Service to Humanity[53]
2014 Skål International Turkey’s Promotion Award[54]
2012 Skål International Special Award[35]
2012 Young Tourism Institution Tourism Enrichment Award[34]
2006 Skål International Quality in Tourism[55][56][57]
1998 Dost.net Best design:Turkish Odyssey by Şerif Yenen[14][58]
1998 Webidol Second place[15]

Publications

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  • Turkish Odyssey, A Cultural Guide to Turkey (English), ISBN 978-975-94638-0-9
  • Turkish Odyssey CD-ROM, ISBN 975-96953-0-8
  • Turkish Odyssey, A Cultural Guide to Turkey with CD-ROM (English), ISBN 975-96953-3-2
  • Anadolu Destanı, Türkiye Gezi Rehberi (Turkish), ISBN 978-975-94638-1-6
  • In Turchia, Un Viaggio nella Cultura Anatolica (Italian), ISBN 975-96953-1-6
  • Die Türkische Odyssee, Ein Kulturreiseführer für die Türkei (German), ISBN 978-975-96953-2-3
  • Quick Guide Istanbul (English), ISBN 978-975-94638-8-5
  • Profesyonel Turist Rehberinin El Kitabı (Handbook for Tourist Guides), ISBN 975-01-7200-0
  • Seyahat İpuçları (Travel Tips), ISBN 978-975-01-7201-4
  • Top 10 Places in İstanbul, ISBN 978-605-87-8083-5
  • En İyi 10 İstanbul, ISBN 978-605-87-8086-6
  • Ottoman Highlights in İstanbul, ISBN 978-605-4541-17-1
  • Byzantine Highlights in İstanbul, ISBN 978-605-4541-18-8
  • Cultural Selections - Turkey's Top 5, ISBN 978-605-4541-20-1

References

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  1. ^ "Gezginlerin kitabı" [The Travelers' Book]. Hürriyet (in Turkish). 7 September 1998. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  2. ^ Tuzluoğlu, Hasan (20 February 2006). "Seyahat: Turistin büyükelçisi rehberler" [Travel: Guides, ambassadors of tourists]. Hürriyet (in Turkish). Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Topkapi Palace: The Luxe Life, Sultan Style with Reception". Smithsonian. 6 November 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Topkapi Palace: The Luxe Life, Sultan Style". University of Boston. 8 November 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  5. ^ "Turkey: Ancient and Modern". Penn Museum, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. 5 November 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  6. ^ a b "II. Geleneksel Trakya Turizm Paneli Üniversitemizde Gerçekleştirilecektir" [2nd Thracian Tourism Panel] (in Turkish). Kırklareli University. 15 December 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  7. ^ Değirmencioğlu, Yrd. Doç. Dr. A. Özdal. "Gazi University Turizm İşletme ve Turist Rehberliği Anabilim Dalı" (in Turkish). Gazi University. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  8. ^ "Lisans Programı Ders Tanıtım Formu" (in Turkish). Balıkesir University Turizm İşletme ve Turist Rehberliği Bölümü. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  9. ^ Albustanlıoğlu, Dr. Tulga. "Başkent University, Turizm Coğrafyası Ders Planı" (PDF) (in Turkish). Başkent University, Turizm İşletme ve Turist Rehberliği Bölümü. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  10. ^ Şerif Yenen (September 2010). "İstanbul". Qatar Oryx. Qatar Airways: 48–60. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  11. ^ a b "Belek'in çirkin su kemerleri" (in Turkish). Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  12. ^ "Yazar Arşivi" (in Turkish). Turizm Habercisi. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  13. ^ "Turizm İnternet atağında". Hürriyet (in Turkish). 11 July 1997. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  14. ^ a b "En iyi Tasarım Turkish Odyssey by Şerif Yenen" (in Turkish). Dost.net. March 1998. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  15. ^ a b "Webidol İkincisi" (in Turkish). Web idol. 29 December 2011.
  16. ^ "İRO Yönetim Kurulu" (in Turkish). Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  17. ^ "Daha büyük bir ceketle haydi işbaşına". Hürriyet (in Turkish). 7 November 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  18. ^ "TUREB İcra Komitesi" (in Turkish). Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  19. ^ "TUREB chairman claims tourism suffering from 'lack of promotion'". Turkish Daily News. 23 July 2002. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  20. ^ "TUREB". Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  21. ^ "Turist Rehberleri Vakfı Genel Kurul Toplantısı Yapıldı" (PDF). Rehber Dünyası (in Turkish). 36 (June 2004): 10. June 2004. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  22. ^ "Türkiye'nin vitrininde rehberler var". Hürriyet (in Turkish). 6 September 2003. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  23. ^ Roy, Ruby (21 February 2005). "February 21st 2005 is the International Tourist Guide Day" (in Turkish). World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  24. ^ "Editorial" (PDF) (8). Guidelines Internetion@l. Autumn 2004: 3. Retrieved 29 December 2011. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  25. ^ "Guidelines International". World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  26. ^ "TOBB – Türkiye Seyahat Acentaları ve Rehberler Meclisi" (in Turkish). TÜRSAB. 31 July 2006. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  27. ^ "TOBB Türkiye Seyahat Acentaları ve Rehberler Meclisi Başkanlığı" (in Turkish). Haberler.com. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  28. ^ "İl Özel İdaresinden 2010 Avrupa Kültür Başkenti İstanbul'a büyük destek" (in Turkish). İstanbul İl Özel İdaresi. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  29. ^ "Akşam Akdeniz" (in Turkish). Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  30. ^ "Değişen seyahat anlayışı ve turist rehberliği". Radikal (in Turkish). 26 December 2004. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  31. ^ Sarıkaya, Ercan (5 August 2004). "Kılavuzunuz karga olmasın". Sabah (in Turkish). Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  32. ^ "Turist rehberleri yasalarının bir an önce çıkarılmasını istiyor". Turizm Gazetesi (in Turkish). 13 March 2006. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  33. ^ "Şerif Yenen'e Rehberlik Yasası'ndan ödül geldi". Turizm Habercisi. 10 October 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2012. (in Turkish)
  34. ^ a b "Turizmde yeni trendler: Online turizm, uzak destinasyonlar, sosyal medya". Turizm Yazarları ve Gazetecileri Derneği (in Turkish). 10 October 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  35. ^ a b "SKALİTE ödülleri, 15'inci kez sahiplerini buldu". Turizmde Bu Sabah (in Turkish). 13 December 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
  36. ^ "22 Haziran 2012 Tarihli ve 28331 Sayılı Resmî Gazete" (in Turkish). Turkish Prime Ministers Office. 22 June 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  37. ^ "Pope Benedict XVI". Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  38. ^ "Oprah Winfrey". Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  39. ^ "Princess Michael of Kent". Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  40. ^ "Where in the World is Matt Lauer: A whirlwind tour of Turkey". NBC. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  41. ^ "Today Show-NBC". Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  42. ^ Şerif Yenen (2009). Quick Guide Istanbul. p. 488. ISBN 978-975-94638-8-5.
  43. ^ Yenen, Şerif (2011). Top 10 Places in Istanbul. ISBN 978-605-87-8083-5.
  44. ^ "Rehberlik kurslarında program yoğun" (in Turkish). Turizm Habercisi. 14 February 2007. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  45. ^ "Üniversitelerin Rehberlik Bölümleri ile İlişkiler Komisyonu" (PDF). İRO Bülten (in Turkish) (4): 11. April 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  46. ^ "İşte İstanbul'un simgesi: Ayasofya". Hürriyet (in Turkish). 21 March 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  47. ^ "Türkiye'nin manzarası en güzel 10 mekanı". Hürriyet (in Turkish). 23 July 2004. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  48. ^ "Şerif Yenen Televizyon Röportajları". YouTube (in Turkish). Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  49. ^ "Istanbul Unveiled (2013)". IMDB. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  50. ^ "Istanbul Unveiled". Istanbul Unveiled. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  51. ^ "Prof. Dr. Mehmet Onur Gülbahar'dan turizm öğrencilerine tavsiyeler". turizmgunlugu.com. 13 June 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2018.{tr}
  52. ^ "Turizm İşletmeciliği Bölümü". Boun.edu. Retrieved 8 October 2018.{tr}
  53. ^ "Şerif Yenen, "Meslekte Üstün Hizmet Ödülü" aldı" (in Turkish). Tourism Magazine. 2021-05-31. Archived from the original on 2021-06-04. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  54. ^ "17. Skalite "Turizmde Kalite" Ödülleri Görkemli Bir Törenle Sahiplerini Buldu". Skal Istanbul (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  55. ^ "Skalite 2006 Ödülleri" (in Turkish). Skal International İstanbul. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  56. ^ "Skal International ödülleri sahiplerini buldu" (in Turkish). Hürriyet. 27 November 2006. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  57. ^ Tonguç, Saffet Emre (19 February 2007). "Seyahat Rehberleri turizmin büyükelçileridir". Hürriyet (in Turkish). Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  58. ^ Artan, Şahin (22 March 1998). "En iyi Tasarım Turkish Odyssey" (in Turkish). Aktüel. Archived from the original on June 25, 1998. Retrieved 29 December 2011. Alt URL
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