Christopher Nolan's new film 'The Odyssey' is set to give a significant boost to the promotion of the ancient city of Troy and tourism in Çanakkale. Prof. Dr. Rüstem Aslan, head of the excavation team at the ancient city of Troy, said that the mythological action film about the Ithacan King Odysseus' journey home after the Trojan War will provide great support to the region's promotion.
Prof. Dr. Aslan stated that the Troy Exhibition, which opened in June at the Colosseum in Rome through cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Italian Ministry of Culture, has drawn international attention and that this interest will intensify with Nolan's film. Noting that the exhibition is one of the most comprehensive Troy exhibitions of recent years and includes artifacts from Anatolian civilizations connected to Troy, Aslan added that it will contribute to the region's tourism in the long run.
Recalling that the 2004 film 'Troy' also increased interest in Troy, Aslan said, 'We can undoubtedly say that this film will also make a great contribution to Troy tourism and interest in Troy.' Aslan mentioned that he watched the film at a special screening in Çanakkale and noted that Nolan, who largely remained faithful to Homer's epic, reinterpreted Odysseus' return journey in a contemporary cinematic language.
Tourism sector emphasizes global interest
Nilgün Gökser, President of the Çanakkale Association of Tourist Hoteliers, Operators and Investors (ÇATOD), stressed that the ancient city of Troy, which is visited by an average of 400,000 people annually, is not only a historical heritage but also a strong international cultural and tourism brand.
Gökser underlined that 'The Odyssey' offers a significant opportunity to introduce Çanakkale's thousands of years of history, cultural richness, and tourism potential to the world. Noting that to turn this opportunity into a lasting destination value, public institutions, local governments, professional organizations, and the tourism sector must act in coordination, Gökser said, 'Today, the world is talking about the Odyssey. We aim to direct this global interest toward Troy, Çanakkale as Troy's ancient homeland, and the cultural riches of this unique geography.'
