The TV series industry has been challenging the film sector for some time now. People prefer to watch 40-minute TV series rather than watching a movie for an hour and a half straight. The emergence of Netflix, Hulu and other online streaming also increased interest in series featuring high-profile Hollywood actors. Inspired by the series, tourists who want to visit the places where these TV series are filmed have led the way to a new form of tourism. Turkey is one of the places that attracts millions of tourists every years thanks to its cult series that are broadcasted almost all over the world.
Resurrection Ertuğrul - Nevşehir
Set in the 13th century, "Resurrection Ertuğrul," following the Oghuz Turks in Anatolia, has become one of the most popular cult series that has ever been filmed in Turkey. The series centers on the life of Ertuğrul, the father of Osman I, who was the founder of the Ottoman Empire. Ertuğrul was the leader of the Kayı clan of the Oghuz Turks. When he arrived in Anatolia from Merv (Turkmenistan) with his 400 horsemen to aid the Seljuks of Rum against the Byzantines, he set off a chain of events that would ultimately lead to the founding of the Ottoman Empire. The series gives a glimpse of what the Ottoman Empire was like when it was first founded.
The first two seasons of the series were filmed in the Riva and Beykoz districts of Istanbul, however, a new film studio has been erected exclusively for the series in Nevşehir for the ongoing third season. Nevşehir, which is already a tourist attraction because of Göreme and Cappadocia, draws more and more tourists thanks to "Resurrection Ertuğrul." The city has roots in ancient times; it was highly populated by Christians who were hiding from Roman soldiers and by Turks who came to Anatolia following the Battle of Manzikert. The traditional main sources of income of the city - carpet weaving and viticulture - have been overtaken by tourism. Now, the city is a major tourist attraction, with its underground shelters, fairy chimneys, monasteries, caravansaries and the famous rock-hewn churches of Göreme.
Narcos - Colombia
Everything began when online streaming service Netflix reminded people of the story of Pablo Escobar, a Colombian drug lord, bringing his life to the world. "Narcos" focuses on the rise and fall of this notorious drug smuggler, and gained fame around the world, as well as helping Colombia to draw millions of tourists every year. After decades of civil war (some of them fueled by Escobar himself), Colombia has been a safer place for tourists. Medellin, where the series is filmed, has a number of spots that tourists should see during their trip. Parque de los Pies Descalzos (Barefoot Park), located in the city center, allows its visitors to take off their shoes and enjoy walking barefoot, just like children. When tourists are done walking barefoot, they can explore the district where Escobar once run his "dirty work" and "Parque Bibloteca Espana," the art center.
Westworld - Utah, U.S.
American science fiction series "Westworld" is causing a stir in the sector with its cast, featuring big names such as Anthony Hopkins and Evan Rachel Wood, as well as its setting. Adapted from the namesake 1973 film, the series is about a theme park set in the American West occupied by androids. Although the series has a dark atmosphere overall, it has managed to attract viewers' attention with the Wild West atmosphere it created in the film set located in Utah. U.S. Arches and Canyonlands national parks featuring sandstone columns, colorful hills and natural arches create a unique, mysterious and magical atmosphere for its visitors especially during sunset. Devil's Garden, the Three Gossips and Dead Horse Point are definitely worth seeing.
Game of Thrones - Croatia, Ireland, Iceland, Morocco
Adapted to the small screen from George R.R. Martin's masterpiece novel series "Game of Thrones," the namesake series has taken the TV series industry by storm since its premiere in 2011. Since the story takes place in different places with different climates and surroundings, "Game of Thrones" is filmed all over the world in countries such as Croatia, Ireland, Iceland and Morocco. For tourists who are interested in discovering exotic places, Ring Road in Iceland offers its visitors a chance to follow the footsteps of Jon Snow. For those who love hot weather, Moroccan cities Essaouira and Ait-Ben-Haddou, where the Mother of Dragons reigns, might be a good choice. The scenes depicting "King's Landing" are filmed in Croatia, where tourists can discover Middle Age castles and towns.
The Bridge - Denmark and Sweden
Danish-Swiss co-production crime series "The Bridge" managed to lure viewers from all over the world. When the series first premiered in 2013, it took over the TV industry and other countries made adaptations of the series as well. However, the cold and dark atmosphere of the series attracted many tourists to Copenhagen and Malmö. The bridge connecting Copenhagen and Malmö, where the series first took off, is the longest bridge in Europe. Tourists who visit are interested in traveling on the bridge as well as mingling with the locals can get the ultimate Scandinavian experience.
Peaky Blinders - Britain
Set in the post-World War I period, BBC's acclaimed gangster series "Peaky Blinders," which focuses on the operations of a gangster family, has drawn attention to Liverpool in the U.K. Tourists are mainly interested in the architecture of the city. Rodney and Powis streets are the most frequently visited spots in the city. Visitors also show great interest in the 16th century mansion Croxteth Hall, which has a Victorian garden and a farm that is still operating. While Croxteth Hall offers visitors a quick getaway from the chaos of the city, those who are more interested in the urban experience can easily hop on one of the city tour buses operating in Liverpool.
