With a Good Planning, Tourism Will Accelerate Turkey's Economic growth
We did an interview with Celal Toprak, President of Business Journalists Association, about the activities of the association, the effects of developing technology on media and his views regarding the tourism industry.
How did your journey as a journalist begin?
I have been a journalist for about 30 years now. I started when I was a student at Gazi University and worked as a night reporter and also reported court cases for many newspapers in Ankara. Then I moved to Istanbul where I worked with a group publishing newspapers such as Akşam and Tercüman, influential newspapers of the time. After that, I started to make television programs. I have been making finance programs on various TV channels.
You are also the President of Business Journalists Association. Can you talk about the activities and plans of the association?
With more than 800 members, Business Journalists Association embodies Turkish finance media and is one of the biggest and most effective professional bodies. We carry out professional work and also we work to affect Turkish economy. We bring the economy world together through two great events; the first being held early in the summer where the finance world come together and success awards in finance journalism are given. In the second activity held at the end of the year, business world meet finance journalists and finance administrators. People who have worked for finance press and who have contributed to Turkey's financial statues are acknowledged.
Global Warming Council brings social responsibility activities to the agenda and relationships between economy and global warming are addresses. Correct energy policies are discussed in detail and a news portal functioning under the name climate economy is striving to be a platform. Among other activities are meetings with finance administrators and finance summits. Also, Kartepe Finance Summit is a successful activity model where we discuss where we are heading professionally and Turkish financial situation.
Considering the developing technology, what do you think about the current situation of media in Turkey? How does the existence of alternative media tools affect media?
We think that media tools will change but journalism will never come to an end. It will even gain importance. In this sense, we have been speeding up our digital trainings to which our colleagues are paying particular attention.
You follow global financial developments closely. In your opinion, how should the general financial point of view be shaped in the near future?
We are keeping a close watch of what is being done and trying to keep our members informed. We have accelerated Industry 4.0 meetings. We had 3 meetings, one being in the field. In the coming days, we are thinking about conveying these meetings to Anatolia. Currently, we have agencies in many cities in Anatolia and through these agencies we aim to discuss developments in digital journalism in Anatolia.
You are also interested in tourism sector. What are your opinions on tourism sector?
It is a sector our association is keenly interested in. We try to organise events with various organisations and institutions. The meeting we had in Antalya became a brainstorming event thanks to the participation of tourism sector. Also, I personally care about tourism sector. I am among the people who believe that Istanbul does not get what it deserves in terms of tourism. It is necessary to examine why Turkey cannot make progress in tourism. Tourism is the most important industry that will make Turkey a richer country and contribute to its economic growth.
Finally, how do you spend your holidays? What are your favourite holiday destinations?
Journalists may not plan their holidays in advance because it is an everlasting job that becomes a lifestyle. So far, I couldn't be able to make good holiday plans, but I aim to make better plans and my first destination will be Turkey. I think there are various beauties in Turkey that I haven't discovered yet. For instance, The Black Sea region is still there waiting to be discovered and so are other regions. I have many significant plans to have a perfect holiday in every sense.