I first met Fehmi Köfteoğlu in the early 2000s at a tourism event. Back then, he was already one of the leading names in tourism journalism. I was leading the team that opened the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, and I managed the hotel investment as an asset manager for about five years afterward. During that time, we witnessed events such as the February 2001 Constitution booklet polemic that triggered Turkey’s largest economic crisis, the 9/11 terrorist attacks that killed thousands in the United States, followed by the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, and the 2003 Istanbul bombings. We lived through the worst of times for tourism, a sector that should bring peace and prosperity. Yet, despite all the difficulties, we succeeded in opening the hotel and steering it toward calmer waters. With constant interventions, the project stabilized and turned into a positive cash flow within five years.
Common Ground of Patriotism
I met Fehmi Köfteoğlu during those difficult times when tourism was constantly being tested. During our first encounter, he told me, “I don’t like Gökkafes, I will never step foot there.” I replied, “I respect that,” and then said, “But let me tell you the story from my side.” He listened to me calmly, occasionally interrupting me to share his thoughts, but always speaking with great respect.
I remember we had a very civilized discussion without hurting each other. Later, we started talking about the issues of tourism in Turkey. That’s when I realized we had a common ground: patriotism. We were both speaking with the best interests of Turkey in mind. While discussing how to resolve the problems in Turkey’s tourism sector, the conversation unexpectedly shifted toward saving the country. Despite coming from different backgrounds, with different mindsets, and an age difference, I remember enjoying that conversation. We said our goodbyes, promising to meet again.
Invitation from Minister Mustafa Taşar
In the following years, our paths crossed again at the invitation of the former Minister of Tourism, Mustafa Taşar. It was another interesting encounter. May he rest in peace, Mustafa Taşar was a close friend of my father. Their bond was more than just being from the same hometown of Gaziantep; they had a deep personal connection. I met with him to discuss the structure of the Istanbul Convention and Visitors Bureau. I believed that destination marketing and conference sales were the way to get tourism back on track in Turkey, and I was constantly discussing this in relevant ministries and public institutions. I even gave a presentation to Minister Mustafa Taşar at that time. He was very practical, quick-thinking, and had a charming personality. My presentation was shorter than expected, and he asked me to get straight to the point. After explaining the essence of the matter, he said, “Let’s do it immediately,” and we started working on the ideal structure for a convention and visitors bureau across Turkey. Unfortunately, his tenure as Minister was not long enough for us to bring this dream to fruition. I will share the details of this story later. What I want to highlight here is that I got to meet Mustafa Taşar through this opportunity.
Meeting in a Casual Kebab Shop
A few months after my presentation, Fehmi Köfteoğlu reached out to me. Being a journalist who knew tourism as well as any tourism professional, he was following my efforts for establishing a Convention and Visitors Bureau structure. He asked how my presentation went with the Minister. I shared the details with him, explaining that there was hope. He wanted to support me, and since he personally knew and liked Mustafa Taşar, he said, “Let me bring you two together again, and we’ll have a nice conversation.” He invited both of us to a casual kebab shop whose name and location I can’t quite recall. If I’m not mistaken, it was in 2005.
At that kebab shop, we discussed tourism and had a fun conversation. The jokes were flying, and I remember laughing and enjoying myself. That pleasant dinner and conversation came as a relief during those tough days. The memory of that evening has stayed with me as a beautiful one. Two years later, I couldn’t believe we had lost Mustafa Taşar, and I felt the sadness. May he rest in peace—he was a good person.
Years Later, Reconnecting
Fast forward to this year. Earlier this year, Fehmi Bey sent me a message saying, “It’s been a long time, let’s meet again.” I replied, “I’d be happy to,” and he responded, “This time I’ll take you to the same old casual kebab shop.” We agreed and went to that same kebab shop in Eminönü. The food was delicious again, as expected. Unfortunately, Mustafa Taşar wasn’t there to bring joy to our meal, but we still talked about the country as we always did. Despite our different perspectives on how to save the country, we both wanted the same thing: A Turkey where all people and animals live in peace, health, and happiness, while preserving nature and the environment. Fehmi Bey’s broad knowledge and research impressed me as well. Although he was a tourism journalist, he kept himself informed and had thoughts about global events. For example, we discussed the competition between the U.S. and China, and how Turkey should navigate a bipolar world (with Europe aligned with the U.S. and Russia aligned with China).
About Fehmi Köfteoğlu
Fehmi Köfteoğlu was born in 1957 as the fifth child of the Köftezade family from Mardin. He started his journalistic career by selling Akşam newspaper on the streets. His professional career began in the Revolutionary Youth Union (DGB), and he became a publisher for Halkın Sesi magazine between 1975 and 1978. Köfteoğlu worked under the guidance of Nezih Demirkent at Dünya newspaper, where he reached a turning point with a special supplement titled “Hotel and Tourism.” His first issue was titled, “Hospitality and Tourism: Turkey’s Backbone.”
Köfteoğlu also contributed to the founding of TÜRSAB’s press and strategy department. He joined Ekin Group in 1995 as an editor, where he edited magazines such as TÜRSAB Magazine, Hotel Magazine, Turkey Tourism Investors Magazine (TYD), Guides Magazine, and the first online tourism newspaper, Tourism Newspaper. He also wrote columns for major newspapers like Dünya, Aydınlık, Milliyet, and Cumhuriyet.
Fehmi Köfteoğlu became known as one of the founders and managers of EMITT (East Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Fair) and held the franchise for the Tourism Suppliers Fair, organized alongside EMITT until 2014. In 2012, after taking over Ekin Group, he pioneered the establishment of AKTOB and the International Resort Tourism Congress. He supported various projects such as the Turkish Tourism Oral History Project, the Turkey Tourism Encyclopedia, the International Tourism Cartoon Competition, and the Anatolian Cuisine Photography Competition. Fehmi Köfteoğlu continued to write columns for EKONOMİ Gazetesi, where he was also the editor of the Travel Supplement.
Our Last Meeting Was a Wonderful Conversation
After that two-hour delightful conversation in the kebab shop, we parted ways with good wishes and promised to meet again. Unfortunately, I later learned that Fehmi Köfteoğlu passed away last month. I did not learn about his passing until after 28 August, so I could not attend his funeral. Finally with this article, I want to commemorate him and offer my condolences to his family, wishing them patience. May he rest in peace, like Mustafa Taşar.
As with every article, I’d like to end with a lesson. First, people with different thought processes can meet on common grounds, such as the well-being of their country or humanity. These differences in thought can even be beneficial for the steps to be taken. It is our collective wish that Turkey finds the place it deserves, and that our people live in peace and prosperity.
Time Flies
Secondly, everyone has a limited amount of time. Eventually, we will all depart this world after completing our lives. In this limited time, make sure to spend time with those you value. Because death has no set time. I clearly remember 2005. That year, I still vividly recall the delightful conversation we had at the kebab shop, having dinner with Mustafa Taşar and Fehmi Köfteoğlu. Sadly, both of them are no longer with us. In November of the same year, I lost my grandfather. I remember this so clearly, and I even wrote the most-read article on my blog about my grandfather: https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/dedem-hasan-suzerle-anilar-gecidi
In conclusion, try to spend as much time as you can with your loved ones and those you care about. Time flies.
