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Turkish Airlines unveiled a new cultural tourism initiative aimed at enhancing the travel experience for transit passengers waiting for transit at Istanbul Airport for six to 24 hours to travel to another country.
This initiative is part of the expanded Touristanbul program, a free layover service for all international transfer passengers of Turkish Airlines, offering guided tours to a filming location spanning 200 decares—the third-largest studio in the world and the largest in Europe
The tours, available to Turkish Airlines passengers with layovers between six and 24 hours at Istanbul Airport, offer a behind-the-scenes look at large-scale sets used in series such as "Resurrection: Ertugrul," "The Great Seljuks," and "Barbaros: Sword of the Mediterranean."
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore elaborately reconstructed historical settings, traditional costumes, and props, gaining insight into Türkiye’s booming television industry.
The film plateau, located in Istanbul’s Riva district, spans an impressive 336 acres and includes replicas of cities, palaces, inns, mosques, churches, and markets, all designed to authentically reflect the historical periods depicted in the dramas.
During the tour, passengers are accompanied by a professional guide who provides comprehensive information about the series filmed there, along with insights into Turkish history and culture. Visitors are also served a complimentary lunch.
In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Abdullah Yormaz, director of Tourism Marketing at Turkish Airlines, said the project is specifically aimed at international travelers transiting through Istanbul Airport to other destinations.
He added, “We have long received requests from passengers to visit the filming locations of these series. Based on that demand, we launched this program in collaboration with Bozdag Film Studios.”
Yormaz confirmed that the tour has attracted significant interest from dedicated fan groups who passionately follow these series.
He added, "Mexico leads the list of participating countries, along with guests from Pakistan and India residing in the United States. There is also notable participation from Indonesia, Kazakhstan, and Arab countries."
Passengers interested in the Film Studios Tour can register via Turkish Airlines’ official website or inquire at designated Touristanbul desks at the airport. The service is free of charge and includes transportation, guides, and refreshments.
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