VOICED: TV soap lures Arabs to Istanbul

The TV soap Khamoosh, depicting young love on the Bosphorus, has become a hit in the Arab world, significantly boosting Turkish tourism. Visitors from Arab countries, especially Jordan, are drawn to Turkey not for its famous mosques but for locations featured in the series. The show was the first Turkish series aired in the Arab world, using Istanbul's scenic spots as a backdrop, contributing to its success. The ease of travel without visas for North African and Middle Eastern visitors further aids tourism. Travel agencies have capitalized on this trend, doubling business since 2008. Despite a slight overall decline in visitors, numbers from Arab countries are rising, with plans to adapt Khamoosh into a movie.

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