Serkan TAŞ | OPERATION MANAGER
I’m Serkan Taş, and since 2003, Kuşadası has been where I’ve cultivated my passion for travel and tourism. I earned my degree in Travel Management and Tour Guiding from Adnan Menderes University in 2008, but my journey in the industry began well before that. With hands-on experience at major cruise agencies and local travel companies, I developed a deep understanding of what makes a travel experience truly unforgettable.
Today, I’m proud to be the Operations Manager at Smart Turkey Tours, a trailblazing travel company that’s redefining the way people explore Turkey. My role is all about creating flawless, memorable experiences—whether it’s coordinating luxury transportation or pairing our guests with expert guides for their adventures. My mission is to not just meet expectations but to exceed them, ensuring every guest leaves with lasting memories of our beautiful country.
Yeliz KAYGUSUZ | SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR
Born in 1986 in Kuşadası, Turkey, I have dedicated my life to the tourism industry. Starting at 15, I pursued education in Travel Agency Services and gained diverse hands-on experience across various roles, from sales to operations, while still a student.
I graduated from Adnan Menderes University, one of Turkey’s top tourism faculties, where I completed a comprehensive 40-day Anatolian tour training. This, combined with passing the Ministry of Tourism’s licensing exam, launched my career as a professional tourist guide in 2010.
From 2010 to 2016, I specialized in guiding tours across Anatolia, which significantly enriched my knowledge of routes and destinations throughout the country. In 2016, I welcomed my first child, which led to a brief pause in my career. However, my passion for the industry never waned, and during this period, I provided route and destination consultancy to various travel agencies.
As my son grew older, I resumed guiding, focusing on daily tours to prominent destinations such as Ephesus and Pamukkale. The arrival of my second child in 2020, coupled with the global pandemic, led to another hiatus in my career. In 2021, recognizing the challenges of managing tours with two young children, I joined the Smart Turkey Tours family, a company founded by my former classmates, with whom I had previously collaborated. Today, I continue to contribute to the tourism industry, leveraging my extensive experience and deep-rooted passion for showcasing the beauty and history of Turkey to visitors from around the world.
Pelin DÜLGER | ACCOUNTING & FINANCE MANAGER
I was born on November 8, 1988, in Istanbul and have a strong background in finance. I graduated from Trakya University with a degree in Banking and completed HR training at Anadolu University.
In 2008, I began my career at HSBC’s Istanbul headquarters, where I worked for 10 years, progressing to Senior Specialist in International Banking Loans. In 2018, I got married and later moved to Kusadasi to start a family. We welcomed our baby in 2020.
I transitioned into the tourism industry by joining Turkey Exclusive, where I currently serve as Accounting Manager. My financial expertise, strong social skills, and attention to detail ensure efficient financial management, contributing to the company’s success. Outside of work, I’m passionate about traveling with my family and exploring new places.
