Source: CCTV.com

04-17-2006 11:10

With its rich cultural heritage, and spectacular scenery, both on the coast and the Anatolian plateau, Turkey is an ideal tourist destination. Tourism has now become the country's second largest industry. As a professional tour guide, Ali Dede Coskuner made every effort to give us a better understanding of Turkey's culture and history during our trip. But what impressed us most was his love and enthusiasm for this job, and his great pride in being a citizen of this intriguing nation.

For Ali Dede Coskuner, who's been working as a tour guide for 15 years, the five-day trip with us from Turkey's capital city Ankara to the Cappadocia region is just one of hundreds of tours he has made.

But his consistent high spirits, combined with his very detailed and interesting commentary, meant we were continually entertained and informed. Meanwhile, he told us that a job as a tour guide always provided him with a fresh view, and he enjoyed seeing his own country through foreigners' eyes.

Ali Dede Coskuner, Tour Guide, said, "I enjoy so much in meeting lots of people, cultures and mentalities... I open my own mind as well, otherwise, you have this narrow view, but when you work as a tour guide, you see many people from different cultures... and I can make good friendship between the countries."

After getting his license in 1989, Ali worked on the Mediterranean coast, the Aegean coast and Istanbul, before finally settling in Cappadocia. He said it was the peaceful and unique environment, fresh air and easy lifestyle that attracted him.

And another reason he wants to stay in this area stems from one of his major concerns regarding Turkey's tourism industry. As a region combining many civilizations over history, Cappadocia and the central Turkey region carries more historical and cultural significance than other seaside areas. However, among some 17 million tourists to Turkey each year, less than two million choose to come to this region, with the rest preferring the sea, sun and sand at the beaches along the coast.

As a tour guide, Ali is trying his best to introduce this unique land to us, with his rich knowledge and solid historical background. Whether in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, or at the well-known underground city, a strong sense of pride in Turkey can be found everywhere in his descriptions and explanations...

Turkey's location in the Middle East brings many concerns, especially relating to security, for foreign tourists. And every time foreign tourists change their fixed and somewhat negative views about Turkey on his tour, Ali feels that all his efforts have paid off.

Ali Dede Coskuner, Tour Guide, said, "Guide makes bridge of peace, tourism bring peace to the world..."

Aside from work, the biggest comfort for Ali is his happy family, with three sons and a loving wife. But as a tour guide, his time with his family is destined to be very limited.

Ali Dede Coskuner said, "Tour guide is no timing, you don't have time to work, sometimes, you have to work for 14-15 hours, sometimes, even more than 18 hours, you can't say I am tired."

Despite these challenges, Ali always sees the beauty of the job that he does. And his smiling face always makes him an affable host for his guests.

According to Ali, there are about 10 thousand tour guides throughout Turkey, with only five thousand who are active. Because of certain legal loopholes, not all the tour guides are licensed professionals, which results in some unfair competition. At the same time, tour guiding in Turkey is still not recognized as a profession, so guides are not included in the country's insurance system.

As a professional guide, Ali hopes the government will do something to solve these problems and improve the status of tour guides. Aside from this job, Ali has his own tourism company, and lives a very active and energetic life.

Ali Dede Coskuner said, "... work harder, make a better life."

As an English-speaking tour guide, Ali doesn't have many opportunities to meet Chinese people. But with China becoming one of the world's biggest tourism markets, Ali is looking forward to making friends with more Chinese people. It's expected that 1 million Chinese tourists will visit Turkey over the next 10 years.

Ali Dede Coskuner said, "We have such long relation with China, such as Turks, come from Central Asia... let's make the two countries closer by your TV channel, Turkey Should be the No. 1 foreign tourist destination for China. All the best to China!"

Time to say good-bye, but for Ali, and all of us, this friendship between China and Turkey is just beginning.

 

Editor:Chen