Turkey Highlights Cinematic Heritage at Turkish Film Days in Baku to Boost New Cultural Tourism and Regional Ties – Travel And Tour World

The Azerbaijan capital Baku is hosting a major cultural festival, the “Turkish Film Days”, which seeks to promote Turkey’s bountiful cinema and bring deeper cultural tourism links between Azerbaijan and Turkey. The festival, which started with the screening of Gelin, an iconic film by the acclaimed director Ömer Lütfi Akad, is a sign of the increasing importance of film festivals in promoting tourism and cultural relations.

This year, the Tourism Authority of Turkey collaborated with local tourism authorities to hold the Turkish Film Days, presenting the best chance for tourists and locals alike to delve into Turkey’s cultural richness through its cinematic heritage. Scheduled from September 26-30, 2025, at the Nizami Cinema Center, the event also emphasizes cinema as a tool for tourism promotion, illustrating how art and culture can drive greater tourist interaction and destination appeal.

Bringing Turkish Cinema to Azerbaijan: A New Tourism Angle

The “Turkish Film Days” in Baku are not just about cinema but also about promoting Turkey’s rich cultural heritage to international audiences. The event features a selection of Turkish films from a variety of genres that explore history, tradition, and modern-day Turkey. Through interactive screenings and cultural discussions, this event serves as a bridge for tourists interested in exploring the cultural and historical ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Tourists visiting Baku for the film festival are also encouraged to visit Turkey’s cultural landmarks, from ancient cities like Istanbul to the UNESCO sites in Cappadocia. The film festival acts as a catalyst for both destination marketing and cultural tourism, where visitors are encouraged to travel between the two countries to explore their shared cultural and artistic roots.

Highlighting Turkey’s Cultural Assets: A Boost for Cultural Tourism

As part of the ongoing efforts to promote Turkey as a tourism destination, the Turkish Film Days provide a glimpse into the country’s artistic expressions through its cinema. This festival also focuses on highlighting Turkish culture, local traditions, and historical sites, attracting those who wish to engage more deeply with Turkey’s vibrant cultural identity.

Cultural tourism is becoming increasingly important, as tourists look for authentic experiences that go beyond traditional sightseeing. The film screenings during the festival are paired with discussions about historical and cultural contexts, allowing visitors to experience Turkey through the lens of cinema, while also creating interest in future travels to Turkey’s iconic landmarks.

Strengthening Regional Ties and Promoting Cross-Country Tourism

The “Turkish Film Days” also serve as an example of how cinema can enhance tourism collaborations between neighboring countries. Both Turkey and Azerbaijan share deep historical, cultural, and linguistic ties, making this cultural exchange an ideal platform for cross-border tourism. The collaboration between both countries in hosting cultural events enhances their appeal to tourists from all around the world, creating opportunities for them to experience the richness of both cultures while visiting Azerbaijan and Turkey.

For Azerbaijan, this partnership with Turkey is part of the growing trend of cultural diplomacy, where film festivals and artistic exchanges contribute to the country’s growing reputation as an emerging tourism hub in the Caucasus. Tourists visiting Baku can take advantage of this event to also explore Azerbaijan’s rich heritage, from the ancient Old City of Baku to the Gobustan rock carvings and beyond.

Promoting Turkey’s Cultural Diversity: Attracting Tourists through Unique Experiences

Turkey is increasingly being recognized as a multicultural destination with a variety of tourism offerings that appeal to a wide range of travel preferences. From the ancient history of Ephesus and Troy to the modern charm of Istanbul and the relaxing beaches of the Turkish Riviera, the country has something to offer every type of traveler.

The “Turkish Film Days” highlight Turkey’s diversity, from Ottoman influences to modern Turkish identity, which in turn encourages tourists to visit Turkey’s cultural hubs, countryside, and seaside resorts. By showcasing Turkish cinema, the event also helps raise awareness of Turkey’s appeal as a tourism destination and how cultural experiences such as film festivals can be an integral part of tourist journeys.

Tourism as a Bridge for Further Cooperation Between Turkey and Azerbaijan

The event also signifies the growing importance of tourism as a tool for diplomatic and economic relations. Cultural diplomacy through cinema, art, and joint tourism initiatives can strengthen the bonds between Turkey and Azerbaijan, encouraging more tourist visits to both countries. This collaboration also helps to create new tourism routes, as travelers can enjoy a cross-border experience, discovering the shared cultural heritage of both nations.

As the tourism industry continues to recover and grow, initiatives like the Turkish Film Days will pave the way for new partnerships between tourism bodies in both countries, ensuring that tourism continues to be a key driver of regional development.

Future Prospects: Expanding Cultural Tourism and Cinematic Collaborations

Looking ahead, Turkey and Azerbaijan are likely to expand their cultural tourism collaborations, particularly by promoting cinema as a powerful tool for attracting international visitors. Future film festivals, art exhibitions, and cultural exchanges between the two countries will likely play a major role in further enhancing tourism ties. By capitalizing on the growing interest in cinematic tourism, both countries can foster more tourism growth and economic cooperation, creating lasting memories for visitors and laying the groundwork for future collaborations.

Strengthening Tourism Through Cultural Exchange

The “Turkish Film Days” in Baku are a good illustration of how film can become an essential element in the development of tourism, cultural exchange, and regional travel. By promoting Turkish cinema, Turkey not only exhibited its rich culture but also brought tourists who would seek to discover the country’s heritage sites, contemporary attractions, and natural sights. With the ongoing cultural and tourism cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan, the film industry will continue to be a strong vehicle for enhancing regional tourism, facilitating cross-border tourism movements, and cultural exchange.