Prince's Palace on Büyükada, seen from the water with yachts at the pier
Ahama's beach in a wooded Aegean bay
Aerial view of Pine Bay Resort on its wooded peninsula in Kuşadası
Aerial view of the Hilton resort at Sarıgerme, Dalaman, between the river and the sea
Aerial view of the Sungate resort on the Antalya coast
A Rudder & Moor catamaran at anchor off the Turkish coast at dusk

can topçu

luxury hospitality & lifestyle assets

25+Years
2Michelin Keys
$250MRecord Sale
7Luxury Collections
01 / 06Prince's Palace, Büyükada, IstanbulLeading Hotels of the World · Michelin Key
02 / 06Ahama, GöcekRelais & Châteaux · Michelin Key
03 / 06Pine Bay Resort, KuşadasıBrand strategy for the Goctur portfolio
04 / 06Hilton Dalaman, SarıgermeTurkey's first Hilton resort
05 / 06Sungate Port Royal, AntalyaTurkey's first 7-star resort
06 / 06Rudder & Moor, Fethiye – MarmarisTurkey's first tailor-made charter company with a catamaran fleet
Portrait of Can Topçu in a navy tweed jacket and dark glasses
Can TopçuTurkey · Brazil
About

Positioning that turns hospitality assets into lasting value.

I advise owners, investors and boards of luxury hospitality and lifestyle assets on how a brand is positioned, how it reaches its market, and how that positioning translates into commercial performance and asset value.

Over twenty-five years I have led brand and commercial strategy for some of the defining properties in Turkish hospitality: the country's first 7-star resort, its first Hilton resort, Istanbul's only resort and its first seaside Relais & Châteaux member. Recent mandates have been recognised with two Michelin Keys.

Each engagement brings together three disciplines. Positioning defines the concept and the category a property can own. The brand journey sets how that promise is delivered at every guest touchpoint, before, during and after the stay. Sales and marketing strategy builds the channels, partnerships and memberships that convert the brand into occupancy, rate and long-term asset value.

The outcomes are measurable. At Ahama, a new barefoot-luxury positioning led to Relais & Châteaux membership, entry into Mr & Mrs Smith and a Michelin Key. At Prince's Palace, it secured Leading Hotels of the World membership and Cartier's global launch. At Sungate Port Royal, the brand equity built was a material factor in a record $250 million sale.

Beyond hospitality, I advise boards in yachting and mobility, from Airstream's entry into Turkey to the Turkish market launch of Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC and Corvette for General Motors.

Based
Turkey – Brazil
Languages
Turkish, English, Portuguese
Can Topçu photographed for his Chic Icon interview
Chic IconInterview
The best friendships are formed on holiday.
The Art of Making Someone Feel Welcome · October 2026 Read the interview
Services

From concept to commercial performance.

Each engagement is shaped by the stage of the asset, from pre-opening to repositioning. Strategic advice at board level is paired with close oversight of how it is carried out.

Positioning & Concept

For new developments and pre-opening properties. I define the concept, the category the property can own and the brand architecture that carries it, before design and operating decisions fix its long-term value.

  • Concept and category definition
  • Naming and brand architecture
  • Pre-opening brand strategy

Brand Journey Design

A brand promise is proven at every touchpoint. I design how the brand is experienced before arrival, during the stay and after departure, and set the standards that keep it consistent season after season.

  • Guest journey and touchpoint design
  • Brand and service standards
  • Restaurant, art and partnership concepts

Sales & Marketing Strategy

Strategies that turn positioning into occupancy, rate and asset value. I build the commercial plan, the channel and source-market mix, and the route into the memberships and collections that matter to the luxury traveller.

  • Commercial and sales strategy
  • Marketing, PR and campaign planning
  • Relais & Châteaux, LHW and curated collections

Market Entry & Launch

For lifestyle, yachting and mobility brands entering Turkey. Positioning, go-to-market strategy and the launch itself, delivered to the standard of a luxury hotel opening.

  • Market entry and go-to-market strategy
  • Distribution and partner agreements
  • Launch events and brand activation
Available as a retained board advisor or on a project basis. Discuss a mandate
Ahama's poolside terrace above the sea, with loungers and a timber pavilion
Ahama, GöcekRelais & Châteaux · Michelin Key
Selected Mandates

Three properties, three defining moments.

Ahama, Göcek

Advisor to the Board · from pre-opening2024 – 2026

The brief

A new seaside property on the Göcek coast needed a position strong enough to stand apart from Turkey's established resort offer, and to be accepted by the most selective luxury networks from its first seasons.

The approach

Defined a new category, bohemian barefoot luxury, first presented at Cannes before it existed in the market. Built the brand journey around it, from dining and wellness to art and culture, and represented the property personally at international travel fairs worldwide, backed by a membership and commercial strategy.

The outcome

  • Relais & Châteaux, Turkey's first seaside member
  • Michelin Key, 2025 & 2026
  • Mr & Mrs Smith, Kiwi Collection, Top World Hotels
  • Best Beach Club in Europe, Kiwi Collection

Prince's Palace, Büyükada

Advisor to the Board2025 – 2026

The brief

Istanbul's only resort, a landmark property on Büyükada, set out to reclaim its place in global luxury hospitality after reopening.

The approach

Repositioned the brand and set the marketing, sales and commercial direction. Opened the property to the luxury world through membership strategy and partnerships with global maisons, bringing Cartier's global launch event to Büyükada.

The outcome

  • Leading Hotels of the World
  • Serandipians collection
  • Michelin Key, 2025 & 2026
  • Cartier global launch, 2026

Sungate Port Royal, Antalya

Director of Marketing2005 – 2008

The brief

Turkey's first 7-star resort, and at the time the most expensive hotel in the country, had to earn that position in international markets.

The approach

Built the full brand journey and market identity, with campaigns that were firsts for Turkish hospitality: the first live worldwide Fashion TV Awards broadcast from a Turkish hotel and the first cartoon advertisement by a Turkish hotel.

The outcome

  • Best Spa Resort in the World
  • Best MICE Resort in the World
  • Small Luxury Hotels membership for the villas
  • A material factor in the record $250M sale to MIRAX Group
Garden villas with private terraces around a pool, framed by pine trees
Sungate Port Royal Villas, AntalyaSmall Luxury Hotels of the World
References

Boards and brands I have worked with.

Luxury Hospitality

Prince's Palace, BüyükadaIstanbul's first resort · Leading Hotels of the World
Advisor to the Board
2025 – 2026
AhamaTurkey's first seaside Relais & Châteaux member
Advisor to the Board, from pre-opening
2024 – 2026
Goctur TourismPine Bay Resort · DoubleTree by Hilton Kuşadası · Old Town Tanneries
Advisor to the Board
2022 – 2023
Hilton Dalaman Golf Resort & SpaTurkey's first Hilton Worldwide resort
Head of Marketing Communications, from pre-opening
2008 – 2010
Sungate Port Royal ResortTurkey's first 7-star resort
Director of Marketing
2005 – 2008

Mobility & Yachting

General Motors TurkeyChevrolet · Cadillac · GMC · Corvette
Advisor to the Board, Turkish market entry
2025 – Present
Airstream Türkiye
Advisor to the Board, Turkish market entry
2023 – 2024
Rudder & MoorTurkey distributor for The Moorings, Sunsail and Leopard Yachts
Advisor to the Board
2020 – 2023
TurMobil
Advisory Board, sales and marketing strategy
2019 – 2023

Lifestyle & Luxury Brands

Puma·TAG Heuer·Tissot·Glashütte Original·Blancpain·Scotch & Soda·W Hotels·Reckitt Benckiser

Brand strategy, PR and launch campaigns as Managing Partner of SCMC, 2010 – 2015.

Prince's Palace pool terrace with palms, loungers and the Istanbul skyline across the water
Prince's Palace, Büyükada, IstanbulLeading Hotels of the World · Michelin Key
Awards & Milestones

Recognition and milestones from the properties and brands I have advised.

2025 & 2026Two Michelin Keys · Ahama · Prince's Palace
Turkey's first seaside member · Ahama
Prince's Palace, Büyükada
Sungate Port Royal Villas
  1. 2026Cartier global launch eventPrince's Palace, Büyükada
  2. 2026Turkish market launch of Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC and CorvetteGeneral Motors Turkey
  3. 2025Michelin KeyAhama · Prince's Palace, Büyükada
  4. 2025Relais & Châteaux, Turkey's first seaside memberAhama
  5. 2025Leading Hotels of the World membershipPrince's Palace, Büyükada
  6. 2025Serandipians collectionPrince's Palace, Büyükada
  7. 2025Mr & Mrs Smith, Kiwi Collection and Top World HotelsAhama
  8. 2025Best Beach Club in Europe, Kiwi CollectionAhama
  9. 2022Best Luxury Catamaran Charter Company of EuropeRudder & Moor · Cannes Yachting Festival
  1. 2011Best Creative Factory Event of the WorldPUMA
  2. 2009Best Family Resort, Thomas CookHilton Dalaman Golf Resort & Spa
  3. 2008Best MICE Resort in the WorldSungate Port Royal
  4. 2008Record $250 million sale to MIRAX GroupSungate Port Royal
  5. 2007Best Spa Resort in the WorldSungate Port Royal
  6. 2007Best Campaign, World Travel Market LondonSungate Port Royal · first cartoon hotel advertisement from Turkey
  7. 2006Small Luxury Hotels of the World, first affiliationSungate Port Royal Villas
  8. 2006Fashion TV Awards, first live worldwide broadcast from a Turkish hotelSungate Port Royal
  9. 2003MTV Award, Turkey's first fully animated music videoIda Pictures · Kenan Doğulu, “Sorma”
Contact

Begin with a conversation.

Quietly, and in confidence.

Telephone
+90 532 416 63 73
LinkedIn
in/cantopcu
Based
Turkey – Brazil