Analysis of traditional academic tourism education search conferences in Turkey as a knowledge production platform

Although the first movements related to tourism are based on ancient times, it started in the 20th century. Especially since the 1970s, whether tourism has been accepted as a separate branch of science, it is seen that it is a matter of debate. In tourism studies, more flexible and conversion approaches have been discussed in the production of old dominant paradigms. In this respect, the need for information production in tourism is increasing increasingly, the more cooperation between the academy, sector and policy makers. In this study, it aims to analyze the academic tourism education search conferences, which aim to create a common mind that can help create action and policy plans on a selected issue. Research data were obtained by using semi-structured interview and participant observation techniques. According to the findings obtained; the frequency of arrangement of conferences, the number of days and the selection of days, the selection of the subject, the methods to be followed, the participant selection criteria, the problems encountered in the election of the participant, the tasks of the senior management, the factors in the common mind, the financing, advertising, presentation of conferences, and fees paid by the participants, delivery of international participation, duties of moderators, the most challenging issues as moderators, effective moderator competences, invitation to conferences as a privilege, finding the method accurate and effective, expressing the thoughts in conferences easily, an effective search conference realized the most exciting phase of the process, the impact of cultural elements in obtaining effective results and their reflections on the sector and national policies. Finally, various suggestions were developed for conference organizers, moderators and participants.