Turkey uses the soft power of TV to attract more Arab visitors
Skift Take
Pop culture's soft-power appeal is just fun, whether its the surprising wave of "Winter Sonata" Japanese fans who hit Korea in the 2000s or the U.S. tourists now scouring English countryside for "Downton Abbey" locations.
... Samy said that Arab tourists find everything they want in Turkey whether it be shopping, the sea, nature or culture. He noted the popularity of Turkish TV series across the Arab world. “Arab tourists are particularly interested in visiting the locations where those series were filmed,” he said.
Samy further explained the importance of popular Turkish TV series: “After dubbing the series into Arabic, Turkey’s became a more popular tourist destination. It was great idea to translate these series into Arabic.
Up Next
Experiences
How Travel Brands Can Seize the ‘Q5’ Opportunity on TikTok
Driven by increased spending on experiences and the digital habits of younger audiences, TikTok has emerged as a key platform for inspiring and shaping travel decisions. Leveraging the platform’s reach early in the year presents a unique opportunity for travel brands to connect with eager travelers.
Sponsored 
Online Travel
Southwest Didn't Get the Gains It Expected From Expedia and Google Flights
Southwest is looking to expand its online distribution even though it didn't get the love it sought for its now-abandoned 'bags fly free' policy.
Short-Term Rentals
Canada Is the Top Source of U.S. Travel – Now Visits Are Trending Down
If Canadian visits continue to decline, it could cost the U.S. billions in lost spending, and thousands of jobs.
Airlines
Asia’s Airlines Crack Down on Lithium Batteries as Fire Risks Rise
A wave of new lithium battery restrictions from Asian airlines highlights rising safety concerns and follows several onboard incidents.
Hotels
New Loyalty Program Journey Targets Independent Boutique Hotels
The new startup Journey faces significant challenges in building consumer adoption and achieving the necessary scale to compete with established loyalty programs. But its notable backers believe it's addressing critical pain points in today's loyalty system.