Tourism in the footsteps of literature: The touristic reflections of novel settings

This study explores the interaction between literature and tourism through the touristic reflections of novel settings. The spatial descriptions in literary works not only construct the fictional world but also function as elements of cultural memory and identity that can guide tourism. The research focuses on selected works such as, Ahmet Hamdi TANPINAR’s The Time Regulation Institute and Peace, Ahmet ÜMIT’s Beyoğlu Rapsodisi, Orhan PAMUK’s Istanbul: Memories and the City and The Black Book, Elif ŞAFAK’s The Bastard of Istanbul, Halide Edip ADIVAR’s The Shirt of Flame, Oğuz ATAY’s The Disconnected, Orhan PAMUK’s Istanbul: Memories and the City, The Museum of Innocence and Yücel KAYIRAN’’s Journey to Efsus. Yakup Kadri KARAOSMANOĞLU’s Ankara, Excerpts of settings from these novels were compared with the corresponding touristic promotional materials (brochures, websites, posters, etc.), thus revealing the points of convergence and divergence between literary and touristic discourse. Through qualitative content analysis, five main codes were identified: modernization, historical memory, socio-cultural diversity, nature and landscape, and consumption culture. The findings indicate that novelistic settings are predominantly constructed around themes such as social transformation, individual alienation, and nostalgia, whereas touristic materials focus on city identity, the preservation of cultural heritage, and attractions. Nevertheless, significant overlaps were observed in representations of key places such as the Bosphorus, Beyoğlu, Ulus Square, and ancient city sites. In conclusion, the literary representation of space serves as a complementary cultural resource for touristic promotion. Integrating novel settings into literary tourism practices can both enhance the visibility of cultural heritage and strengthen the unique identity of destinations.