How did you find this video? The beautiful Aegean sea, the ancient ruins, the palaces, and the mosques… These are all famous sightseeing spots, representing ‘iconic’ Turkey. They are attractive for tourists who want to escape from their daily lives and feel something different.
You may become more and more want to travel there, but let’s step back; something is missing in the video. Look at this picture above, which is taken in Istanbul. Maybe this kind of scenery is familiar with you, as the city appeared in the video. You may imagine the city is full of exotic and historical places.
Then, look at this picture taken in the same city. Obviously, there is a difference compared to the first picture. It looks really modern. You may not believe these two pictures are both taken in Istanbul, but this shows we fall into place essentialism.
All cities and places can never be static. Istanbul is not an exception; it has developed through both preserving traditional sites and taking new technologies. But, tourism industries pick up only one side of Turkey and try to make the image of this country static. Most tourists visiting Turkey are from Europe, including Russia, Germany, and Britain, who get used to living in a modern city. What they want is ‘unusual’ experience, and this is why Turkish tourism focuses on offering ‘iconic’ Turkey.
So, what we have to keep in mind is that trying to see one place from different perspectives. We should learn the place actively, not passively. This makes your travel more fulfilling and I hope this blog helps you.
Merhaba Turkey! 