<p><span class="p-body">International experience and industry expertise make Recep &quot;Richie&quot; Karaburun's classes as dynamic as they are timely. Originally from Turkey, Karaburun moved to Los Angeles about 30 years ago as an international trainee for a top hospitality company. What was intended to be a nine-month internship turned into 12 years of employment, during which he rose to vice president of marketing and completed his MBA in International Marketing at Chapman University.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Karaburun's career then took him to New York when his wife, a medical doctor, began her residency in New Jersey. Transferring to the New York office of his company, he soon became president of GTA, now owned by Hotel Beds. After seven years, he transitioned to corporate travel and later joined a startup. It was during his time at the startup that an invitation to guest lecture at NYU sparked his passion for teaching, which he brings to the MS in Travel and Tourism Management program.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Karaburun's initial guest lectures at NYU felt like being on a Broadway stage, igniting a love for teaching that led him to pursue it part-time as an adjunct professor. Encouraged by colleagues to consider a full-time academic role, Karaburun took the bold step of enrolling in a PhD program in marketing at Pace University. With his new credentials and teaching experience, he secured a full-time position at NYU SPS, where he has been inspiring students for over a decade.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Karaburun's favorite part of teaching is the opportunity to impact young professionals at the beginning of their careers. With nearly 30 years of industry experience, he aims to bridge the gap between industry and academia. His courses cover business development, entrepreneurship, and destination marketing, emphasizing both soft skills and academic content. The positive feedback he receives from students affirms his influence, with many noting his valuable advice and engaging teaching style.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Karaburun's signature piece of advice, &quot;Your network is your net worth,&quot; is about the importance of building professional relationships, both in person and online, particularly through LinkedIn. His dedication to networking is evident in his classroom, where he encourages students to be active on the platform, attend industry events, and participate in networking competitions.</span></p>

<p>Looking ahead, Karaburun identifies technology, virtual reality, and augmented reality as key trends in the hospitality industry. He notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digitalization, leading to innovations like self-check-ins and contactless services. Sustainability is also a significant focus, particularly for the millennial generation. Companies are increasingly developing eco-friendly options and sustainable practices.</p>

<p><span class="p-body">Karaburun advises new professionals to stay ahead by continuously learning, both inside and outside of the classroom. He encourages his students to read about industry trends and global events daily. In his classes, he includes a current events section where students discuss articles related to their coursework. </span></p> <p><span class="p-body">This habit helps them stay informed and adaptable. He shares, &quot;I tell my students to read for at least 20 minutes a day about the industry and global events affecting it. Staying updated on technology and sustainability is crucial.&quot;<br /> </span></p>

<p>Like many hospitality professionals and educators, Karaburun's passion for hospitality extends to his personal life. He frequently travels and has experienced exceptional hospitality around the world. One memorable experience was at a Taj hotel in India, where the staff personalized his stay by remembering his drink preferences after just one night of staying there. This attention to detail exemplifies the kind of hospitality Karaburun teaches in his classes.</p>

<p><span class="p-body">In addition to his teaching role, Karaburun is the director of the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/experience/how-youll-learn/the-hospitality-innovation-hub/hi-hub-incubator.html" title="Hospitality Innovation Hub Incubator">Hospitality Innovation Hub Incubator</a> at NYU SPS. This program helps students turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality and is open to both current students and alumni. The incubator provides mentorship, resources, and funding opportunities that can help new professionals in the field take their ideas to new heights. Karaburun is proud of the program's success and encourages anyone with an idea to participate.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Find out why so many students want to take classes with Karaburun by joining the next wave of hospitality trailblazers in the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-travel-and-tourism-management.html" title="MS in Travel and Tourism Management">MS in Travel and Tourism Management</a> program.</span></p>