Turkish tourism journalism has lost a pivotal figure with the passing of Fehmi Köfteoğlu, who died following a heart attack today.
Born in 1957 in Amude, Köfteoğlu came from the Köftezade family of Mardin and was the fifth of his siblings. His journey in journalism began humbly, selling the Akşam newspaper under his arm, which eventually grew into a remarkable career that significantly shaped the tourism media landscape in Turkey.
During his tenure at Dünya newspaper, he began focusing on tourism. He recalled it as a turning point in his career when he started preparing a supplement titled “Hotel Management and Tourism,” with the first issue headlined “Hotel Management and Tourism Set to Become Turkey’s Backbone.”
His deep involvement in the tourism sector saw him working closely with the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB) as a press and strategy consultant, where he also founded the Research and Development (R&D) department. His influence only grew from there, and in 1995, he joined the Ekin Group, where he would find some of his most productive years.
Köfteoğlu served as editor for several prestigious publications, including TÜRSAB Magazine, Hotel Magazine, Turkish Tourism Investors Magazine (TYD), Guides Magazine, and the first online tourism newspaper, www.turizmgazetesi.com, as well as Resort Magazine.
He was instrumental in the Eastern Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Fair (EMITT), where he was one of the thought leaders and managers. Until 2014, he also held ownership of the Tourism Suppliers Fair, which ran parallel to EMITT.
In 2012, Köfteoğlu took over Ekin Group, and his influence continued to expand. He played a crucial role in the creation of the International Resort Tourism Congress in collaboration with AKTOB and was deeply involved in several significant projects like the Turkey Tourism History Project, the Turkey Tourism Encyclopedia, the International Tourism Cartoons Competition, and the Anatolian Cuisine Photography Competition, often serving as a writer or jury member.
Fehmi Köfteoğlu leaves behind his wife and daughter, as well as an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire journalists, tourism professionals, and those passionate about the industry.
His contributions to the field of tourism journalism have set a benchmark for future generations, blending a passion for storytelling with a commitment to the tourism sector’s growth and development in Turkey.
