Who is Cafer Kartın? — Biography & Life Story
Born in 1965 in Tomarza, Kayseri, Cafer Kartın is a businessman with over 40 years of commercial experience across Germany and Türkiye in retail, travel agencies, gastronomy, cultural events, international sports tourism, and real estate. Having pioneered winter sports tourism in Antalya since 1999, he now channels his real-sector experience into production, merit, and sustainable growth as Vice Chairman of Anahtar Party Antalya and Head of Economic Policies.
Comprehensive Biography
From Kayseri to Germany and Entering Entrepreneurship at Age 20
Cafer Kartın was born on January 20, 1965, in the Tomarza district of Kayseri, Türkiye. After completing his primary education in Türkiye, he moved to Germany in 1978, where he pursued his secondary school and vocational training.
At just 20 years old in 1985, he launched his entrepreneurial career by opening a Turkish grocery store in Germany, gaining hands-on experience in retail management and supply chains.
Tour Operations Across Europe and Restaurant Management
At age 21, after obtaining his commercial bus driver's license, he founded his own travel agency. For nearly 10 years, he organized specialized tours to ski resorts and for senior citizens across Europe, personally driving the tour bus and managing field operations.
At age 31, he expanded into the gastronomy sector, operating a restaurant business in Germany for approximately 10 years and building the foundation for his hospitality investments.
Pioneering Winter Sports Tourism (Gazi Cup / Eurosport) & European Concert Tours
Starting in 1999, Cafer Kartın spearheaded winter and sports tourism initiatives in Antalya. Partnering with 10 hotels, he helped establish professional football training pitches and organized training camps and tournaments for leading clubs including Borussia Dortmund, Schalke, Feyenoord, Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Beşiktaş. Broadcast live on Eurosport, the Gazi Cup significantly boosted Antalya's international reputation.
In culture and arts, he helped organize European concert tours for iconic Turkish artists including Barış Manço, Sezen Aksu, Kenan Doğulu, Serdar Ortaç, Mahsun Kırmızıgül, and Özcan Deniz. Since 2006, he has produced albums and music videos with artists such as Çağlar, Doğuş, and Murat Başaran through his active music production company.
Hospitality & Real Estate Projects in Germany and Antalya
Today, Cafer Kartın owns and operates 6 gastronomy businesses and a 75-bed hostel in Germany. In Antalya, he completed the 12-villa Demet Villaları residential project and is currently developing the 40-unit The Lara Suites apart-hotel project.
Having never previously held an active role in any political party, Cafer Kartın now channels over 40 years of real-sector experience into public service as Vice Chairman of the Anahtar Party Antalya Provincial Organization and Head of Economic Policies.
Executive Profile Summary
- Full Name
- Cafer Kartın
- Date & Place of Birth
- January 20, 1965 — Kayseri / Tomarza
- Education
- Primary Education (Türkiye), Secondary & Vocational Education (Germany, 1978+)
- Business Experience
- 40+ Years (Retail, Travel, Gastronomy, Sports Tourism, Music Production, Real Estate)
- Political Role
- Vice Chairman of Anahtar Party Antalya Province
- Policy Portfolio
- Head of Economic Policies
“We work with common wisdom to build a productive, merit-based economy, prevent waste, and create a stronger Türkiye and a more livable Antalya.”
Milestones from 1965 to Present
Birth in Kayseri / Tomarza and Primary Education
Born on January 20, 1965 in Tomarza, Kayseri. Completed his primary education in Türkiye.
Relocation to Germany & Vocational Education
Moved to Germany in 1978 and completed middle school, high school, and vocational preparation training there.
First Step in Commerce: Retail & Supermarket Management
Entered business life at age 20 by opening a Turkish supermarket in Germany, gaining hands-on experience in retail and supply chain management.
Travel Agency Foundation & European Tour Operations
Obtained a bus driver's license at age 21 and founded his own travel agency. Organized tours to ski resorts and for senior citizens for nearly 10 years, personally driving the tour bus.
Gastronomy and Restaurant Management
Transitioned into gastronomy and restaurant management at age 31, operating a döner restaurant for approximately 10 years.
Antalya Sports Tourism Pioneer & International Gazi Cup
Pioneered the development of sports tourism in Antalya in 1999. Partnered with 10 hotels to build football training pitches and organized camps and matches for Borussia Dortmund, Schalke, Feyenoord, Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Beşiktaş, broadcast internationally on Eurosport.
European Concert Tours & Music Production
Worked on European tour organizations for artists including Barış Manço, Sezen Aksu, Kenan Doğulu, Serdar Ortaç, Mahsun Kırmızıgül, and Özcan Deniz. Since 2006, produced album, song, and music video projects with artists such as Çağlar, Doğuş, and Murat Başaran.
Gastronomy, Hospitality & Real Estate Investments in Germany and Antalya
Owns and operates six gastronomy businesses and a 75-bed hostel in Germany. Completed the 12-villa Demet Villaları project in Antalya and is developing the 40-unit The Lara Suites apart-hotel project.
Vice Chairman of Anahtar Party Antalya & Head of Economic Policies
Having never held an active role in any other political party before, Cafer Kartın serves as Vice Chairman of Anahtar Party Antalya and Head of Economic Policies.