Turkish Digest Advertising Rates

Annual Advertising options

Monday, August 17, 2009

AFP: Soap operas spark Arab tourist boom in Turkey

"Soap operas spark Arab tourist boom in Turkey

By Nicolas Cheviron (AFP) – 5 hours ago

ISTANBUL — Driven by a craze for Turkish soap opera, Arab tourists are flocking to Istanbul, with the city's world-famous Ottoman mosques and palaces only a side show to their real destinations: the filming venues.

Featuring heart-throb heroes, emancipated heroines and picturesque scenery, Turkish television series have become a pop-culture phenomenon in the Arab world, sending thousands to Istanbul to retrace the steps of favourite stars."

More:AFP: Soap operas spark Arab tourist boom in Turkey