We have lost the doyen of Turkish tourism and one of our former Presidents, Sinan Babila...

It is with deep sorrow that we have learned of the passing of Mr. Sinan Babila, one of our former presidents, Founding President of the Turkish Hoteliers Association, doyen of Turkish tourism and our faithful friend. Our grief is indescribable.

His funeral will be held following the Friday prayer on Friday, 29 August 2025, departing from Etiler Mosque, and he will be laid to rest at Kilyos Cemetery.

We pray for God's mercy upon our late President Sinan Babila; and we extend our condolences and wishes of patience to his grieving family above all, as well as to all his relatives, friends, our TUROB members and our tourism community. May we all find comfort.

As one of the pioneering figures who shaped the growth of the Turkish tourism sector, Sinan Babila guided the entire sector throughout his professional life not only through his managerial and representative duties, but also through his knowledge, his vision and his inspiring stance.

A graduate of Istanbul University Faculty of Law and a lawyer registered with the Istanbul Bar Association, Babila used his expertise in law to lay the foundations of institutionalization in the tourism sector; he took his first step into professional hotel management by taking over the Taksim Kervansaray Hotel in 1969.
•⁠ ⁠1984-1986: TUROB Board Membership • 1986-1990: TUROB Secretary General • 1990-1996: TUROB Presidency • 2000-2006: TUROB (now TUROFED) Presidency

Throughout these roles, he took an active part in the preparation of many legal regulations concerning the sector.

Among the founding members of the Tourism Employers' Union of Turkiye and TUGEV, Babila made significant contributions to bringing the Lutfi Kirdar Convention Center back into function and to holding international organizations such as SKAL and Habitat in Istanbul.

In addition to his professional achievements, the value he placed on young people, his forward-looking approach, his openness to knowledge sharing and his respect for the cultural values of the sector made him not merely a manager but also a visionary and a trailblazer. Each of his meetings was like a lesson for young professionals.

He also effectively used his power of sectoral representation through his roles as a Member of the Assembly of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and a Member of the High Advisory Board of the Tourism Investors Association; and as a Member of the Council of Presidents of the Turkish Hoteliers Association, he continued to share his experience right up to the present day.

With more than half a century of experience, Sinan Babila became the representative not of a single era but of a whole school of thought. He pioneered the development of Turkish tourism, the promotion of cultural heritage, the dissemination of education and the strengthening of sectoral solidarity.

Also known for his social personality, Babila was a devoted Fenerbahce supporter, and his interest in sports and his loyalty to his team were among the greatest passions of his life.

The contributions of our late President Sinan Babila to the Turkish Hoteliers Association and to Turkish tourism will always be remembered with respect, gratitude and mercy. We will continue to keep his legacy alive by walking in his footsteps.

Respectfully,

Muberra ERESIN
TUROB President