Around 2018, campaigns calling for a boycott of tourism in Turkey flourished across Gulf social media, claiming that Turks were hostile and aggressive toward Arabs.
If life were a dramatic Gulf television series requiring a perfect and joyful ending, by 2026 we would have reached the 30th and final episode: agreements would be signed, leaders would shake hands, and the narrative surrounding tourism in Turkey would change 180 degrees, inducing dizziness—from “let them go bankrupt without our money” to “even the doves in Taksim Square are polite and careful not to inconvenience tourists.”
But reality does not follow a script. Long before reaching that hypothetical 30th episode, the “electronic flies” themselves had already refuted their earlier campaigns inciting a boycott of tourism in Turkey, leaving no need to manufacture a happy ending today.
Through the same social media platforms, those who had slandered Turkey and accused its people of blind and unjustified hostility toward Gulf Arabs were, of their own volition, posting evidence that condemned their own behavior and appeared to explain the resentment, aggression and ill manners they had encountered from some Turks.
You will see clips of people dancing to loud traditional songs that disturb Turks in public places and disrupt the tranquility of their beautiful natural surroundings. You will see people shouting in markets, in front of establishments and along crowded sidewalks simply to film trivial content.
There is a clip of someone intentionally stepping on a stray dog’s foot to “amuse” themselves, despite how much Turks value their animals and are known for their kindness toward them.
There are also countless clips of people harassing service providers and tour guides, making wisecracks at their expense, mocking and belittling them with harsh Bedouin expressions they could not possibly understand.
You will even see a clip of someone exploiting a Turkish teenager’s inability to understand Arabic, repeating a well-known colloquial phrase resembling a “meme” in his ear in an apparent attempt to sexually harass him.
Had I not visited Anatolia this summer, I would not have known about all these disgraceful incidents. Yet those who had previously vilified the Turks, generalized about them and attempted to harm their tourism industry ended up exposing themselves.
For years, they circulated the sensational scene of an angry Turk rising to slap and curse them, accompanying the clip with a plaintive comment such as, “Boycott these racist barbarians.”
I confess that I used to wonder how this happened to them so frequently. Turks are not angels, of course, and every people has its devils. But honestly, I have found nothing from them except free cups of tea extended toward me, followed by the word “ziyafet,” meaning “hospitality.”
Fate decided that we would also see what happened “behind the scenes,” allowing us to understand why some Turks felt insulted and provoked before their reactions were demonized.
In general, there is no need today for those who promoted a boycott of Turkey to retreat. There is no need for their “virtual buzzing” to change as they continue to oscillate between slandering and flattering peoples. Social media has already exonerated the Turks.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Annahar.
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