Tourists from 14 Countries Captivated by the Beauty of Çekerek; Yozgat's Emerging Gem

Presence of Students from 13 Countries in Çekerek On July 15, 2026, the Çekerek district in Yozgat province, Turkey, became a center of international cultural attention. According to a report by the local media "Yozgat Hakimiyet," a group of 14 international students from various countries, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Egypt, Pakistan, Romania, Rwanda, Serbia, Tunisia, and Jordan, traveled to the region [1]. This visit was organized as part of the "Turkish Language Summer School" program in cooperation with the "Yunus Emre Institute" to familiarize these young people with the tourism and cultural potential of the heart of Anatolia.

Çekerek Rafting Track; World Standards in the Heart of Nature One of the most important parts of this visit was the presence at the Çekerek Rafting Track, known as the first artificial rafting track in Turkey. Opened in 2022, this facility is the second in the world to receive the "Excellence Center Certificate" [3]. Accompanied by professional instructors, the international students experienced the excitement of rafting on this 2-kilometer track. The track includes an 800-meter wavy course for professional sports and a 1,200-meter calm course for recreational boating, creating a unique experience for visitors [2].

Lavender Island and the Region's Tourism Transformation In addition to water sports, visitors toured "Lavender Island" (Lavanta Adası), located within the Çekerek Dam. The visual beauty of this island, combined with the turquoise waters of the dam, won the admiration of all students. Üzeyir İnce, the Mayor of Çekerek, stated to the media that the region now hosts 25,000 to 30,000 domestic tourists weekly, and their target for the current season is to attract more than 150,000 to 200,000 visitors [2]. He emphasized that the presence of students from different countries demonstrates the success of the region's international promotion strategies.

Future Outlook for Tourism in Yozgat Local authorities in Yozgat are striving to transform the province from a purely agricultural area into an active tourism hub by combining historical and natural attractions [2]. Projects such as the rafting track and walking paths around the Çekerek Dam are part of a master plan for sustainable tourism development in Central Anatolia. The students participating in this cultural tour, while expressing amazement at the local hospitality and modern recreational facilities, stated that the beauty of Çekerek exceeded their expectations and that the region has the potential to become a global destination [1].