Hosted by Kastamonu University, the 10th International Rural Tourism and Development Congress and the 15th National Rural Tourism Congress, organized in collaboration with the Department of Geography of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Tourism as part of our university's 20th-anniversary events, began with an opening ceremony held on September 24, 2026, in the Sezai Karakoç Hall of our university's Central Library.

The program, which began with a moment of silence and the reading of the National Anthem, was attended by our University's Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Selahattin Kaymakcı, Kastamonu Deputy Governor Hakan Kubalı, Kastamonu Deputy Mayor Hasan Fehmi Taş; Munzur University Rector Prof. Dr. Kenan Peker, Kütahya Dumlupınar University Rector Prof. Dr. Süleyman Kızıltoprak, Semerkand University Vice-Rector Khusniddin Khonkulov, Rural Tourism and Development Congress Coordination and Scientific Committee Chair Prof. Dr. Orhan Özçatalbaş; and Congress Organizing Committee Chair, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serdar Ceylan, as well as representatives from public institutions, our academic and administrative staff, students, and industry representatives.

A video presentation showcasing the historical, cultural, and natural riches of Kastamonu was held during the program. 

"We aim to contribute to the development of rural areas"

The opening speech was made by Prof. Dr. Orhan Özçatalbaş, the Chairman of the Coordination and Scientific Committee of the Rural Tourism and Development Congress. Thanking those who contributed to the organization of the congress, Prof. Dr. Özçatalbaş said that the aim was for the event to contribute to the development of rural areas in Türkiye.

Stating that various supports and investments have been made in the field of rural tourism in the past 15 years, Özçatalbaş expressed that, in addition to the supports provided under the European Union Pre-Accession Assistance Instrument (IPARD), the Ministry of Industry and Technology, development agencies, and different funding mechanisms offer opportunities for rural development.

Stating that rural tourism in Türkiye is increasingly being considered as an alternative livelihood model, Özçatalbaş emphasized the importance of collaboration between public institutions, the private sector, academia, and non-governmental organizations.  

35 papers will be presented at the conference

The Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Rural Tourism and Development Congress, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serdar Ceylan stated that the congress attracted wide participation at both national and international levels. Stating that more than 100 participants would attend the congress, Ceylan said that, in addition to Türkiye, academics from Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Germany, Pakistan, and Ukraine would also contribute to the congress.  

Stating that a total of 35 papers, 21 online and 14 face-to-face, will be presented within the scope of the congress, Ceylan noted that rural areas, rural tourism, rural development, employment in rural areas, sustainability, and the future of rural regions will be discussed. Ceylan also stated that the development of rural tourism, promotion and marketing, investment, employment, and human resources needs in Kastamonu would also be evaluated.

"Kastamonu is a prime example on its own"

Kastamonu Deputy Mayor Hasan Fehmi Taş stated that Kastamonu has significant potential in terms of rural tourism and rural development. Stating that there is no need to give an example from another city to explain the rural tourism potential of Kastamonu, Taş said, "Kastamonu itself is an example in its own right."  

Stating that Kastamonu has a wide natural wealth from the Black Sea to the Ilgaz Mountains, from the Valla and Horma canyons to the Çatak Canyon and Ilıca Waterfall, from the plateaus of Daday to the beaches of Cide, Taş said that the Independence Road of İnebolu, the garlic of Taşköprü, the siyez wheat of İhsangazi, and the rice of Tosya, along with the historical mansions, are among the cultural and tourism values of the city. 

"Our process is hopefully continuing with confident steps"

Before the final opening speech of the program, Kastamonu University Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Selahattin Kaymakcı expressed his hope that the topics to be discussed at the congress would yield beneficial results for our University and the scientific community. Kaymakcı stated that Kastamonu is a city that has carried the traces of different civilizations throughout history and is rich in terms of urban culture, science, knowledge, and wisdom.  

Reminding that Kastamonu University is a specialized university in the fields of forestry and nature tourism, Kaymakcı stated that the studies conducted in different faculties contribute to Kastamonu in terms of human and economic geography, tourism, and value-added production. Stating that the university is conducting studies in collaboration with the Kastamonu Governorship, Kastamonu Municipality, and the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, Kaymakcı said that they are striving for these studies to transform into projects that will contribute to the city's development.

Stating that the process of including Kastamonu in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network is progressing positively, Kaymakcı said, "It was an important matter for us to have Kastamonu included in the UNESCO list." Our process is hopefully continuing with firm steps.

“The efforts toward the international recognition of Kastamonu were discussed”

Kastamonu Deputy Governor Hakan Kubalı expressed his satisfaction with the congress being held in Kastamonu and thanked those who contributed to the organization. 

Providing information about the efforts to increase Kastamonu's national and international recognition, Kubalı stated that they have developed a new vision to enhance the city's international recognition by 2026, starting from the planning efforts that began in 2024. Mentioning the UNESCO-related efforts in Kastamonu, Kubalı stated that the inclusion of Mahmutbey Mosque in the UNESCO World Heritage List is a significant achievement for the city's cultural heritage. 

Stating that the South Black Sea Geopark Project has been included in the UNESCO candidate list, Kubalı noted that the project, which covers 11 districts of Kastamonu, aims to promote the city's caves, canyons, valleys, forests, and cultural heritage on an international scale. 

The congress will last three days

After the opening speeches, a presentation was made within the scope of the congress by Prof. Dr. Kenan Peker, the Rector of Munzur University, and Prof. Dr. Süleyman Kızıltoprak, the Rector of Kütahya Dumlupınar University. After the presentations, certificates of appreciation and plaques were presented to those who contributed to the congress.  

In the three-day congress, scientific papers on different topics will be presented in face-to-face and online sessions. On the last day of the congress, a tour program will be organized to introduce the historical and natural beauties of Kastamonu to the participants.