by Burak Akinci
NEVSEHIR, Türkiye, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye is intensifying efforts to better serve the fast-growing number of Chinese tourists visiting Cappadocia, as local institutions, educators and tourism professionals work to expand Chinese-language skills in one of the country's most iconic destinations.
At Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University, the newly-established Chinese Language and Literature Department has become a key part of this push in central Anatolia.
The program was launched in 2021 as Cappadocia records a rising number of Chinese visitors, a trend reshaping the regional economy and Türkiye's strategy to diversify its tourism markets in Asia.
Associate professor Sema Gokenc Gulez, head of the department, said that Cappadocia's unique landscapes and cultural heritage have made it an increasingly popular stop for Chinese travelers, creating new career opportunities for local youth.
"Cappadocia is one of Türkiye's most important tourism centers, and for Chinese tourists it has become an essential stop," she said.
According to her, there are only about 40 licensed Chinese-speaking guides in the region, a very low number compared with the growing influx of Chinese visitors.
According to the Chinese embassy in Türkiye, four Turkish universities have established Chinese language and literature departments, which enrolled over 1,000 Turkish students.
Figures released by the Turkish Statistical Institute show that Türkiye welcomed 313,859 Chinese visitors in the first nine months of 2025, nearly doubling the number recorded during the same period in 2023.
Cappadocia, with its fairy-tale chimneys, cave hotels, and world-famous hot-air balloon flights, has been one of the main destinations benefiting from this growth.
Veteran hot-air balloon pilot and local tourism expert Halis Aydogan, who has been flying over the region for more than two decades, said Chinese tourists have transformed local businesses.
"Chinese tourists have become one of the driving forces of Cappadocia's tourism," Aydogan said. "They come throughout the year, even in winter. Their interest in balloon flights is huge, and they help keep the sector active during seasons that used to be quiet," he said.
Aydogan noted that many Chinese travelers prefer personalized or small-group experiences, which support a network of boutique hotels, balloon operators, and local transport services. He also emphasized the crucial role of language skills in enhancing guest satisfaction.
He said local businesses hope that an increasing number of Chinese-speaking graduates entering the workforce will better position the region to welcome the steadily growing number of Chinese visitors.
Gulez said tourism-focused Chinese lessons are offered because the department believes that understanding both the language and the expectations of Chinese travelers is essential to meet the sector's growing needs. Students also gain hands-on experience by working with guides and travel agencies during peak seasons.
Twenty-year-old Berfin Kazancicok, a senior in the Chinese language department, has been assisting tour groups in her spare time. She said she plans to work as a guide for Chinese tourists after graduation.
"I want to work at a tourism agency abroad and turn this into my profession," she said.
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