60-Second Interview with Erkan Yağcı: Türkiye’s Hospitality, Oxford’s Vision

From Türkiye to Oxford to the boardrooms of global tourism — what has shaped your vision of leadership across borders?

Türkiye’s cultural richness and tradition of hospitality taught me the value of people-centric leadership. Oxford refined this by exposing me to leaders from around the world, showing the power of diversity, strategic vision, and critical thinking. Together, these shaped a leadership style that transcends borders.

Tourism is often seen as seasonal and reactive — how do you embed long-term strategic thinking into such a dynamic industry?

Despite short-term fluctuations, we focus on building strong brand, making sustainable investments, and using data-driven decision-making. The key is to position the sector for the needs of not just today, but five to ten years ahead.

You operate at the intersection of public diplomacy and private enterprise. How do you balance national image-building with commercial success?

Tourism is a nation’s showcase. Commercial success and national image reinforce one another. In every business decision, I aim to balance economic performance with initiatives that enhance Türkiye’s brand value globally.

If you could redesign one part of global tourism from scratch, what would it be — and why?

I would make sustainability metrics mandatory across the industry. The environmental and cultural impact of tourism should be at the heart of long-term value creation.

What do you see as Türkiye’s most untapped competitive advantage in global tourism?

Türkiye’s unique geography and four-season potential are not yet fully realised. Gastronomy, health tourism, sport tourism and cultural heritage routes hold immense untapped opportunities.

How did your Oxford experience influence the way you think about culture, sustainability, or legacy in your work?

Oxford deepened my appreciation for cultural diversity and the importance of global perspectives in business. Sustainability and legacy are now not just project goals but core elements of my leadership philosophy.

As the travel industry embraces AI, data, and digital transformation — where do you see the human touch still mattering most?

Technology brings speed and efficiency, but making guests feel truly valued requires the human touch. Empathy, creativity, and genuine connection cannot be replicated by algorithms.

Our Oxford Türkiye Alumni Society connects thinkers, leaders, and visionaries — how do you think this network can contribute meaningfully to Türkiye’s global positioning?

This network is a powerful platform to showcase Türkiye’s intellectual and professional capital to the world. By developing collaborative projects, we can strengthen our global image and create new opportunities. Erkan Yağcı is Concorde Hotels & Resorts Board Member, Chairman of the Board of the Turkish Hoteliers Federation (TÜROFED), President of the Tourism Council at the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Business Council Member, and Member of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). An Oxford graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma in Artificial Intelligence in Business, he combines cutting-edge technological insight with deep sector expertise to advance sustainability, innovation, and the global positioning of Türkiye’s tourism industry.