Turkish TV Dramas Draw Global Tourists to Istanbul’s Historical Sites
Under the Turkish sun, tourists explore sets resembling Ottoman and Byzantine castles, posing with actors in traditional Ottoman attire and witnessing horseback stunts. Among them, 22-year-old Riia Toivanen from Finland and her mother traveled to Istanbul to immerse themselves in the world of their favorite Turkish TV dramas.
Meanwhile, in Villa Carlos Paz, Argentina, 66-year-old retired teacher Raquel Greco watches Turkish romantic comedies surrounded by memorabilia from her recent trip to Istanbul. She describes her experience visiting familiar landmarks from the series as surreal.
The global success of Turkish TV dramas, known as dizi, has elevated Turkey as a prominent television exporter, enhancing its international reputation. These shows attract millions of viewers worldwide, enticing them to explore Turkey’s historical and cultural sites featured prominently in these series.
Turkish TV Shows Drive Tourism and Soft Power Expansion
Turkish television series have ignited a billion-dollar industry, expanding into new global markets and significantly boosting Türkiye’s soft power worldwide, experts affirm. According to Parrot Analytics, global demand for Turkish dramas surged by 184% from 2020 to 2023, establishing Türkiye as a leading exporter of TV content.
“We reach over 400 million viewers worldwide every night,” stated Izzet Pinto, CEO of Global Agency, a key player in exporting Turkish dramas globally. Pinto emphasized the unparalleled soft power generated by Turkish dramas, surpassing traditional political avenues.
While ‘Deli Yurek’ pioneered Turkish series exports to Kazakhstan in 2001, it was the 2005 romantic drama ‘Gumus’ that propelled Turkish dizis to global fame. The series, depicting a woman navigating between traditional and urban lifestyles, captivated audiences across the Middle East.
Similarly, ‘A Thousand and One Nights’, a 2006 romantic drama set in modern Istanbul, enchanted viewers in the Balkans with its adaptation of Middle Eastern folktales. ‘Magnificent Century’, portraying the life of Ottoman Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent in the 16th century, further solidified Turkey’s prowess in historical fiction on the global stage.
Why Turkish TV Shows Are So Popular
Once a consumer of Latin American telenovelas, Türkiye has emerged as a prominent exporter of its own dramas, now even reaching Latin America. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s visit to the set of ‘Resurrection: Ertugrul’ in 2018 underscored the growing appeal of Turkish dizis in his country.
Haley Uganadi, founder of the Turkish TV series fan platform ‘Dizilah’, attributes the popularity of these dramas to their themes centered on family, friendship, and romance, often set against the backdrop of Istanbul’s luxurious lifestyles or Türkiye’s rich historical tapestry.
“They offer something relatable for everyone, regardless of nationality. When I watch Turkish dramas, I see aspects of my own family and personal life,” Uganadi remarked.
Her platform attracts approximately 1.5 million viewers monthly, spanning fans from the United States, Canada, Greece, India, and Pakistan.
Izzet Pinto highlights the family-oriented content of Turkish dramas. “There’s no nudity, profanity, or excessive negativity, making them suitable for family viewing,” he explains.
As the industry expands, it explores diverse themes like in ‘Red Roses’, which explores the dynamics between a secular Western-oriented family and a fictional Islamic brotherhood.
Meanwhile, tourists flock to Bozdag Film Studios in northern Istanbul, where epic Ottoman-era dramas like ‘Resurrection: Ertugrul’ and ‘Foundation: Osman’ were filmed. Riia Toivanen, drawn by romantic dramas like ‘Black Money Love’ and ‘Endless Love’, visited Istanbul to immerse herself in Turkish culture.
“I appreciate Turkish culture a lot,” she shared. “The series are warm, friendly, and filled with dramatic intrigue.”
Producer and screenwriter Mehmet Bozdag notes that ‘Resurrection: Ertugrul’ garnered over 157 million views on its Urdu-language YouTube channel, and ‘Foundation: Osman’ reached audiences in more than 110 countries, underscoring the global appeal of Turkish historical dramas.
During its peak in May 2020, ‘Resurrection: Ertugrul’ ranked as the fourth most sought-after show globally, with demand surpassing that of the average show by more than 68 times, as reported by Parrot Analytics.
Dr. Deniz Gurgen Atalay, assistant professor of film and TV at Bahcesehir University in Istanbul, underscores the TV series industry’s significant economic impact, citing $1 billion in overseas exports in 2023 alone. He highlights its pivotal role in boosting tourism, particularly in Istanbul.
“The TV series sector plays a crucial role in this. The portrayal of Istanbul in these series, the culinary experiences depicted, the lifestyle, and cultural elements create a highly appealing image,” Atalay explained.
Mert Yazicioglu, known for his role in ‘Red Roses’, anticipated to return with its second season in late September, spoke while dressed in his character’s attire, representing a member of an Islamic sect during a filming break.
The series has catapulted the 31-year-old actor to stardom, with Türkiye’s media closely following his career trajectory.
“We are proud to introduce Turkish culture to audiences abroad,” Yazicioglu commented, clad in the distinctive baggy trousers and matching waistcoat of his character.
