Abstract
Summary For over a decade, Istanbul has hosted the Pride festival, representing a significant milestone for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community. The organization of Pride events in Istanbul marked a tremendous stride in attracting LGBT tourists to the city. Although Pride events have also been initiated in some other Muslim countries, such as Lebanon and Kosovo, Istanbul’s Pride was established 11 years prior to these nations. However, in 2014, the Pride festival was abruptly cancelled citing “security” reasons. Subsequently, Turkish municipalities not only prohibited Pride but also banned all LGBT events, encompassing movies, shows, panels, exhibitions, and plays. Consequently, this has resulted in a decline in the availability of gay-friendly hotels and travel agencies. This study aims to review academic literature, statistical reports, and media sources to address questions regarding why Turkey has not become a popular destination among LGBT tourists, the events that precipitated animosity toward this group, and how the conservative government has influenced perceptions regarding the LGBT population in Turkey Information © The Author 2023
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
