Tourexpi
Among
the highlights is a visit to the Bozdağ Film Studio in the northern district of
Beykoz, where many popular Turkish historical dramas are filmed.
Transit
passengers can board a dedicated TourIstanbul bus from the airport to explore
the Bozdağ Film Studio complex, the third-largest film studio in the world and
the largest in Europe, covering 200 acres. Productions such as Diriliş:
Ertuğrul, Kuruluş: Osman, and Destan are filmed here.
Participants
are guided through the film sets and introduced to Turkish history, culture,
and the behind-the-scenes world of Turkish television. The experience includes
traditional Turkish food—such as soup, dishes prepared in a six-burner
cauldron, and rice pudding—as well as hands-on activities like glassmaking
workshops and a performance of Atların Destanı (Legend of the Horses). After
the tour, passengers are returned to the airport in time for their connecting
flights.
According
to Abdullah Yormaz, Marketing Manager at Turkish Airlines, the studio tours run
once daily between 12:00 and 18:00 local time. Passengers who meet the layover
requirements can register for the experience through the Turkish Airlines
website or by visiting the TourIstanbul desk at the airport.
“Today
we have 25 participants, but during the early summer, we sometimes host up to
100 people a day,” Yormaz said. “Since the start of the year, around 3,000
travelers have taken part in the tour, with last year’s total reaching 5,000.”
He
added that many guests specifically choose the film studio tour out of six
available options, particularly fans of Turkish historical TV series. “Visitors
come from South America, Asia, the Middle East, and especially from Turkic
republics. Interestingly, we’ve had a growing number of guests from Mexico. We
also see strong interest from passengers coming from the United States, many of
whom are of Pakistani or Indian origin, as well as from Arab countries,
Kazakhstan, the Asia-Pacific region, and Indonesia.”
Mani
Krishna, an Indian citizen living in Mexico, took the tour during a layover on
the way to New Delhi. “We arrived in Istanbul after a 15-hour flight and
decided to join the tour before our next leg. It was recommended by a friend.
Everything was free, and the food was delicious. It was the perfect break to
get some fresh air after a long journey.”
Abdulsalam
Arbaoui, a traveler from Tunisia, shared his appreciation for the tour as well.
“I even went to Friday prayers with local Turkish people. The atmosphere was
warm and welcoming. It’s my first time here, and I’m very happy. I’ve watched
Turkish series before and, as a Muslim, I really enjoy them. Through these
shows, I see how Turkish and Tunisian cultures connect.”
Image
Credit: © AA
The most interesting news


Lufthansa to Repurchase 50 percent of Outstanding Convertible Bonds Due 2025
Deutsche Lufthansa AG (the “Company”) today announced the results of its cash tender offer (the “Repurchase Invitation”) for up to EUR 300 million of its outstanding 2.00% convertible bonds due 2025 (ISIN: DE000A3H2UK7, the “2025 Bonds”),


Turkey Sees Strong Passenger Growth – Holiday Regions Drive Demand
42.2 million travelers used Antalya, Izmir, Bodrum, and Dalaman airports in eight months


Turkish Airlines carries more than 60 million passengers in first eight months of 2025
Turkish Airlines announced it carried 60.7 million passengers between January and August 2025, an increase of 5.8% year-on-year, with a load factor of 82.7%


Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines Expand Codeshare Ahead of Golden Week
New services between Beijing Daxing and Doha strengthen connectivity from China to the world


Alila launches ‘A World Awaits’ campaign with immersive Alila Moments experiences
Hyatt’s luxury brand unveils its first global campaign in five years, highlighting new connection-driven, transformative journeys


Thailand Tourism Awards Spotlight Sustainability with 151 Honours
15th edition celebrates 30 years with the debut of Sustainability Awards, reflecting global travel trends


ROBINSON MALDIVES named ‘Best Adults Only Resort 2025’ at TTM Awards
Third consecutive win for ROBINSON Clubs in the Maldives highlights excellence in hospitality


International tourism up 5 percent in first half of 2025 despite global challenges
Arrivals exceed pre-pandemic levels as Africa and Asia-Pacific lead growth


Travelin.Ai integrates SabreMosaic content and Lodging AI to boost hotel bookings
New partnership enhances hotel attach rates, delivers blended travel workflows, and improves duty of care for companies


The Rise of Scare-Cation Travel in Haunted Tourism
America Haunts names the Top 5 destinations turning Halloween into full travel getaways


Central Holidays launches exclusive 2027 Solar Eclipse travel program in Egypt
Journey combines celestial spectacle with Egypt’s ancient wonders


UN Tourism Hosts First Regional Workshop on Wellness Tourism in the Middle East
Event in Riyadh explores wellness as a driver of sustainable growth and tourism diversification


CLIA Releases Annual Report on Environmental Technologies and Practices
Cruise industry shows measurable progress in energy efficiency, alternative fuels, and emissions reduction


Spain bans smoking and vaping on terraces – hoteliers warn of damage to tourism
The Spanish Council of Ministers on Tuesday approved a draft amendment to the Anti-Tobacco Law (Law 28/2005)


WTTC appoints Gloria Guevara as interim CEO during Julia Simpson’s recovery
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced that President & CEO Julia Simpson will be unable to attend the WTTC Global Summit in Rome (28–30 September) due to illness. WTTC and its Members extend their best wishes to Julia for a swift reco


Vietnam’s top travel agencies grow with Amadeus technology
Amadeus strengthens its presence in Vietnam by supporting leading travel consolidators and startups with advanced digital solutions


This Winter, Discover Japan with Club Tourism’s Curated Tours of Snow and Scenic Wonders
Winter in Japan offers more than crisp air and sweeping snowscapes. It invites travelers into a world of steaming hot springs, seasonal delicacies enhanced by the cold, and historic towns glowing under lantern-lit snow


Rosewood Foundation Launches ‘Rise to the Table’ to Empower Women in Food and Beverage
With a steadfast commitment to equity, access, and sustainability, the Rosewood Foundation is introducing Rise to the Table, a new initiative designed to address the persistent gender gap in the global food and beverage industry


Fitch: Turkish Airlines’ stake in Air Europa strengthens access to Latin America
The international rating agency Fitch sees Turkish Airlines’ (THY) investment in Air Europa as a strategic expansion of its route network


An Icon Reborn: W Hotels Unveils Transformation of W New York – Union Square
W Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy, has completed a $100 million transformation of its global flagship, W New York – Union Square


TUI MAGIC LIFE launches new movement and mindfulness event in Crete
A week of yoga, Bandixx workouts and club spirit kicks off on 25 October at TUI MAGIC LIFE Candia Maris
