tourism and commercial nationalism

Commercial Nationalism and Tourism: Selling the National Story

Journal of Tourism Futures

ISSN : 2055-5911

Article publication date: 23 April 2018

Issue publication date: 4 June 2018

• Nationalism

Hay, B. (2018), "Commercial Nationalism and Tourism: Selling the National Story", Journal of Tourism Futures , Vol. 4 No. 1, pp. 105-106. https://doi.org/10.1108/JTF-11-2017-0049

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Brian Hay

Published in the Journal of Tourism Futures . Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial & non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence may be seen at http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode

I received this book on same day that the last Holden car was produced in Australia, and wrote this review on the day it was announced that Uluru would be closed to visitors in two years. As the focus of this book is about the importance of national symbols, it is difficult to find a product more Australian than a Holden car, and more iconic than the Uluru. The importance of national symbols and the role they play in marketing a country is the key to what this book sets out to explore.

This book is published by Channel View under their “Aspects of tourism” theme, by its Series Editors who are spread over the world: Cooper (UK), Hall (New Zealand) and Timothy (USA) and this worldwide perspective is reflected in the countries covered by the book. The aim of this book series is to provide readers “with the latest thinking on tourism worldwide […] and push back the frontiers of tourism knowledge”. This particular edited book is developed from two previous books by the author which focussed on National Identity (2011) and Place Identity (2013), and develops these themes in the author’s own words “by narrowing the focus of study to commercial nationalism while broadening the discussion of national identity to encompass both tourism and events”. This edited book is written by 26 authors and covers 13 individual countries plus Africa, through 18 case study chapters, along with an introduction and conclusion chapter. The aim of this edited book is to “show how particular narratives are woven to tell (and sell) a national story” and to “demystify the various ways in which the nation has been imagined by key organisers and organisations and then communicated to millions”. Perhaps more simply, the book aims to explore and understand the relationship between national marketing strategies and how they are used, and maybe even misused, by both the commercial and public sector.

The book is divided into three sections: “National narratives, heritage and tourism”; “Tourism branding and promotion”; “Festivals, events and national identity”, with six chapters or perhaps better described as six country case studies in each section. The first section explores the issues around how commercial nationalism relates to national stories and traditions, and this is discussed through case studies from: Canada, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Ukraine, China and India. It does this by taking a long view of history, and questions whose story is being told through a historic perspective of issues in each of the case studies. The second section covers case studies from: New Zealand, South Africa, Malta, Estonia, India and Colombia, and questions how national identity is linked to place branding and influence of historical colonial developments, while also exploring the ethnic vs nationality perspectives of residents and their diaspora. The third section explores festivals, events and national identity through case studies from Hungary, Japan, Canada, Singapore and the USA. These case studies are discussed through a mixture of relatively new constructed events, seasonality focussed events, ephemeral sporting events and government constructed nation-building events.

Although each of the case study chapters can be read alone, as with any edited book the difficulty in bringing the different chapters into a coherent whole, is always a challenge. A good editor will be skilled enough to rise to this challenge, and the editor of this book is to be commended for more than meeting this challenge. The introduction and conclusion chapters are worth reading by themselves, and alone justify buying the book. Rarely have I seen such insightful editor written chapters in a book, as often edited books lack either a meaningful introduction and/or a conclusions chapter. Because of the attractiveness of the individual chapters, I can understand why the reader may only read selected individual country chapters. However, I would urge them to also read the introduction and conclusions chapters, as they will provide a theoretical framework to better understand the selected country case study.

Despite generally praising this book, there are a number of small criticisms. The individual chapters are of variable quality, and while most are well-developed, a number are long on history and sometimes provide far too much irrelevant detail. They are also sometimes poor in ending their discussions with linkages back to the core aims of the book, and the role of commercial nationalism and tourism.

Although this book is clearly aimed at the academic market, in particular postgraduate and advanced undergraduate students, because of the wide range of case study chapters, it will have a strong international appeal. It should also appeal to both commercial marketers as well as national tourism organisations, as I am sure they will gain much from the global visions discussed in the individual case study chapters.

Finally, in terms of a recommendation, the book was an interesting read, which provided a smorgasbord of insights into how both nations and commercial enterprises develop, use, misuse and manipulate national images for their own ends. Before reading this book, I had not appreciated the importance of the historic issues that help to shape the relationship and interrelationships between commercial nationalism and tourism, and the role they both play in selling a story to residents, their diaspora and tourists. Although this book was an easy read, it also challenges the reader to think much more deeply, about the issues raised. On first reading the book, I questioned whether it would be of interest to tourism futurologists. I was wrong, and although the book was somewhat long on detailed descriptions and history, and could not be described as essential reading for tourism futurologists. It should certainly through selective reading, help futurologists better understand the tensions that exists between nations, their people (residents and diaspora) and the commercial providers of tourism services.

About the author

Brian Hay is a Professor of Tourism at the School of Social Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK.

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Commercial Nationalism and Tourism: Selling the National Story

Edited by: leanne white.

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This book combines academic analysis and critical exploration to examine national narratives in the context of tourism and events around the world. It explores how particular narratives are woven to tell (and sell) a national story. By deconstructing images of the nation, it closely examines how national texts create key archival imagery that can promote tourism and events while also shaping national identity. It investigates the complex relationship between state appropriation of marketing strategies and the commercial use of nationalist discourses. The book aims to demystify the ways in which the nation is imagined by key organisers and organisations and then communicated to millions.

Leanne White has curated a scholarly collection of essays contributing to the dialogue regarding nationalism and tourism. Framed by insights into the theories of nationalism, this diverse set of international case studies opens a conversation about commercial nationalism in relation to tourism while complementing the editor's previous work in this field. Lee Jolliffe, University of New Brunswick, Canada Editor White has produced an extremely useful theoretical context for examining commercial nationalism within the context of tourism, with an array of contributions from noted scholars around the world. The chapters illustrate both the relevance and importance of the nexus between commercial nationalism and tourism with all the complexity and fascination resulting from the interplay of history, politics, culture, colonialism, economics and aboriginal issues, among many others, in this field. This is an important and valuable book. Michael V. Conlin, Okanagan College, Canada This timely and comprehensive book explores the intersections of commerce and nation through the tourism and events industries. The scope is global and highlights the increasing importance of understanding the complexities involved. Commercial Nationalism and Tourism achieves the rare feat of being both a critical analysis and a valuable guide for policy makers and industry. Graham Seal, Curtin University, Australia The editor presents a body of work that is marked by both breadth of scope and significant international coverage, lending the text's obvious appeal to an international research community while positioning it as an invaluable teaching resource for both higher and postgraduate level students of the subject. Crucially, the book achieves accessibility without diminishing the quality of insight offered, representing a positive and welcome contribution to the field. Tourism Analysis, Vol. 23 The book was an interesting read, which provided a smorgasbord of insights into how both nations and commercial enterprises develop, use, misuse and manipulate national images for their own ends. Journal of Tourism Futures, 2018 In this valuable volume, the authors present many good cases, thought-provoking practices, novel ideas, and challenging questions. The book is easy to read because each chapter stands by itself. Together, though, they provide a wide-ranging look at diverse aspects of commercial nationalism as it relates to tourism. Tourism, Culture & Communication, Vol. 17

Leanne White is Senior Lecturer in Marketing at the College of Business, Victoria University, Australia. Her main research interests are national identity, commercial nationalism, popular culture, advertising, destination marketing and cultural tourism.

Acknowledgements

Contributors

Introduction

1. Leanne White: Commercial Nationalism: Mapping the Landscape

Part 1: National Narratives, Heritage and Tourism

2. Kathleen Rettie: Canada's National Parks: Nationhood, Tourism and the Utility of Nature

3. Patrick Naef: Tourism and Nationalism in the Former Yugoslavia

4. Svitlana Iarmolenko, Deborah Kerstetter and Moji Shahvali: Away but Together: Diaspora Tourism and Narratives of Ukrainian Immigrants in the United States

5. Yujie Zhu and Yang Yang: Travelling to the Past: Xi'an and the Tang Imperial City

6. Maya Ranganathan: A New Indian National Story

7. Alan Clarke: The Silk Road, Identities and Commercial Nationalisms

Part 2: Tourism Branding and Promotion

8. C. Michael Hall: 100% Pure Neoliberalism: Brand New Zealand, New Thinking, New Stories, Inc.

9. Kelly Phelan: National Identity in Africa's Tourism Industry

10. Marie Avellino Stewart and George Cassar: Branding a Nation-State after Half a Century of Independence: The Case of Malta

11. Brent McKenzie: Who Owns 'Brand Estonia'? The Role of Residents and the Diaspora

12. Sagar Singh: When the Incredible Got Lost in Controversies: Selling Tourism in India

13. Juan Sanin: From Risky Reality to Magical Realism: Narratives of Colombianness in Tourism Promotion

Part 3: Festivals, Events and National Identity

14. Tamara Rátz and Anna Irimiás: 'Imagine Ben Hur in Formula One': An Analysis of the National Gallop in Hungary

15. Michael Basil: Examining Cherry Blossom Celebrations in Japan and Around the World

16. Jean Martin and Pascale Marcotte: Canadian Nationalism and the Memory of the First World War in France and Belgium

17. Aaron Tham: 'Daddy, Why do we Celebrate SG50?' A Response to a Child Regarding Singapore's Golden Jubilee

18. Nicholas Wise and John Harris: Covering 'Captain America' and (Re)Imagining the United States during the 2014 FIFA World Cup

19. Leighann Neilson: Promoting Canada's Cultural Mosaic: John Murray Gibbon and Folk Music Festivals

20. Leanne White: Commercial Nationalism Research Directions: Negotiating New National Narratives

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Stakeholders unite to ignite tourism in Nakhon Si Thammarat

Urasaya property’s senior executives meet with local partners in a key meeting on june 27, 2024, organised by the provincial chamber of commerce to drive the future of tourism and development..

Urasaya Property Co., Ltd , the pioneering real estate company and developer of Banyan Tree Residences Sichon , came together with local tourism leaders, key stakeholders and the business community in Nakhon Si Thammarat on June 27, to discuss and share its vision for creating a bright and sustainable future for this spectacular southern Thai province.

Under the Thai government’s “ Ignite Thailand ” initiative, which was unveiled in June 2024, 55 second-tier provinces with high tourism potential will be promoted under five “must-do” categories: Must Eat Local Food , Must See Local Culture , Must Seek Unseen Attractions , Must Buy Local Arts & Crafts , and Must Beat Local Sports . Within this framework, this collaborative meeting aimed to create a collaborative plan for the development and promotion of tourism in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

In attendance were top representatives from Nakhon Si Thammarat’s travel, tourism, hospitality and commercial sectors.

Gary Bowen , Urasaya Property’s Managing Director, and Ravi Chandran , Executive Director of Urasaya Property, presented the key strengths and potential of the destination to all stakeholders during the meeting. Urasaya Property is the developer of Banyan Tree Residences Sichon , and it has become the first luxury beachfront branded residence project in the history of Nakhon Si Thammarat.

The launch of the project comes at an important time, as this stunning province embarks on an exciting new era of tourism and development. Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport recently unveiled its new international terminal, which is set to welcome direct flights from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, and tourism operators in up-and-coming areas such as Sichon Beach and Khanom Beach are preparing to welcome a new wave of high-end, experience-seeking travellers.

The challenge for the region’s tourism sector is to successfully harness the benefits of tourism and drive a higher volume of visitors to Nakhon Si Thammarat, while also retaining its natural, peaceful and sustainable attributes. With transport infrastructure improving and guest capacity increasing, the business leaders debated how to position Nakhon Si Thammarat as a unique destination under the government’s Ignite Thailand initiative.

In terms of Ignite Thailand’s “must-do” activities and attractions, Nakhon Si Thammarat will strive to promote its fresh seafood and artisan producers such as organic chocolatiers (Must Eat Local Food), ancient Buddhist temples (Must See Local Culture), jungle-clad mountain ranges, pink dolphins, waterfalls and caves (Must Seek Unseen Attractions), traditional silk-weaving villages (Must Buy Local Arts & Crafts), and Must Beat Local Sports (water sports on the Gulf of Thailand and cycling along long, smooth roads). These unique products are likely to appeal to affluent travellers who seek one-of-a-kind experiences.

Khun Montri Manator, Director of TAT Nakhon Si Thammarat said: “Nakhon Si Thammarat is a beautiful province with many natural and cultural treasures. Under the Ignite Thailand initiative, recently unveiled by Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Srettha Thavisin , we look forward to showcasing our tourism assets to a wider audience of domestic and international visitors, while sustainably spreading the benefits of tourism for many years to come.”

Khun Prayoon Ngoenprom, Chairman of Nakhon Si Thammarat Chamber of Commerce also added: “Nakhon Si Thammarat has everything needed to become a world-class tourism destination. Now, we need collaborative action to promote the province, enhance our tourism products, upskill local workers, improve international standards and maximise our marketing efforts. The arrival of global brands such as Banyan Tree will enhance our profile on a global stage.”

“We are delighted to come together with so many of our esteemed local partners and colleagues to create a sustainable future for tourism in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Banyan Tree Residences Sichon, which blends five-star hospitality with authentic southern Thai elements, is a pioneering project and a perfect example of how this emerging province is successfully positioning itself for a brighter future,” commented Mr Ravi Chandran, Executive Director, Urasaya Property. 

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What we know — and don’t know — about the new Hoover Dam toll plaza

F or decades, travelers have visited Hoover Dam, one of the nation’s premiere engineering feats and a Southern Nevada tourism staple, for free.

Today, it’s unclear how long it will remain a free attraction as the Bureau of Reclamation has built a toll plaza just beyond a security checkpoint near the dam.

So far, the plaza gateway is inactive and vehicles can pass through it once they’ve cleared security.

Michelle Helms, regional chief of the office of communications for the Bureau of Reclamation’s Lower Colorado Basin, said in an email that Hoover Dam charges a use fee for commercial road-based tour operators in compliance with federal regulations.

“We don’t have congressional authorization to charge an entry fee for non-commercial vehicles,” she said.

Helms said she has not been briefed on any plans involving charging non-commercial vehicles.

The new turnstile also means visitors may eventually have to pay to access the walkway for the Pat Tillman-Mike O’Callaghan Memorial Bridge over the Colorado River from which pedestrians can get a breathtaking view of the massive, 726-foot concrete arch-gravity dam, which was completed in 1936 during the Great Depression after five years of construction.

Also beyond the turnstile is a parking area where hikers can access the 3.7-mile historic railroad tunnel trail that offers views of Lake Mead.

The Bureau of Reclamation office that handles commercial use permits for Hoover Dam did not respond to telephone and email inquiries about why the plaza was built, how much it cost or when it would be activated.

Hoover Dam bypass

The road to Hoover Dam, formerly U.S. 93, was identified in the 1960s as dangerous and inadequate to handle projected traffic volumes.

In the late 1990s, work began to develop a bypass of the route to what is now Interstate 11. The need for a bypass was accelerated by the 9-11 tragedy when checkpoints were established to monitor U.S. 93 traffic driving across the dam.

The bypass project began in 2003 with bridge approaches and bridge construction began in 2005. It was completed and opened to vehicle traffic on Oct. 19, 2010, at a cost of $240 million, with the bridge itself costing $114 million.

Today, tourists can still drive across Hoover Dam to parking lots on the Arizona side of the Colorado River. But the old highway is blocked and motorists must return over the dam to the Nevada side to exit.

Commercial use authorizations are required of vehicles that transport tourists and goods to the dam area. Tour buses are among the vehicles required to pay a daily fee at a rate of $5 per passenger.

The Bureau of Reclamation first began collecting fees from commercial operators in 2020.

Non-commercial educational groups are not required to pay a fee. Commercial authorizations generally cost $100 per application and must be renewed annually and daily uses have been paid in advance online.

About 32,000 commercial vehicles visit Hoover Dam each year, bringing an estimated 800,000 visitors to the dam.

Fees collected are used for upkeep of Hoover Dam visitor facilities.

Contact Richard N. Velotta at [email protected] or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on X.

©2024 Las Vegas Review-Journal. Visit reviewjournal.com.. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Greenways and sustainable tourism

French example.

Sir, – Having recently returned from a few days exploring the Gironde area of France, including three days in beautiful Bordeaux, it was heartening to see others exploring the region on modified, regular and electric bikes and enjoying the many small towns and villages, guesthouses, local retail units, cafés, restaurants and museums.

France is storming ahead with charging facilities for electric cars and continuing to enhance their shared active travel paths.

I sincerely hope that this is something Ireland can look to regarding greenways over the coming years.

Enabling and promoting free electric bike charging, in particular for longer rural journeys, would send out a welcome signal to this growing tourism sector.

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If we could emulate some of the thoughtful universal design systems for all ages and abilities, bio-diversity planting, varied route types, traffic calming and sustainable drainage systems the French have built in, we could have a tourism product to be proud of for local residents and tourists alike. – Yours, etc,

JUSTINE DELANEY,

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Booming Turkish TV drama industry captures hearts and minds worldwide and boosts tourism

Turkey has emerged as a leading exporter of television drama, bolstering the nation’s international image and drawing millions of viewers and tourists worldwide to its historical and cultural sites which are backdrops to many of the shows. Their success has fueled a burgeoning billion-dollar industry and experts say the industry is also greatly enhancing Turkey’s soft power on a global scale. (AP video shot by Mehmet Guzel and Robert Badendieck)

A production team is filming scenes of a Turkish drama with actor Paris Baktas and actress Yagmur Yuksel, Turkey, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Turkey has emerged as a leading exporter of television drama, bolstering the nation’s international image and drawing millions of viewers and tourists worldwide to its historical and cultural sites which are backdrops to many of the shows. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

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Tourists make a tour in Bozdag’s outdoor film studio in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, June 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

A production team is filming scenes of a Turkish drama in Istanbul Turkey, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

A production team is filming scenes of a Turkish drama with actor Paris Baktas and actress Yagmur Yuksel, Turkey, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

A production team is filming scenes of a Turkish drama with famous Turkish actor Ozcan Deniz, center, in Istanbul Turkey, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Producer and screenwriter Mehmet Bozdag, speaks to the Associated Press during an interview in Bozdag’s outdoor film studio in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, June 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

People present a horse riding performance for tourists during their visit in Bozdag’s outdoor film studio in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, June 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

A tourist wears an ottoman custom for a photograph, during his visit to Bozdag’s outdoor film studio in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, June 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

An airel view shows part of Bozdag’s outdoor film studio, which features replicas of historic Ottoman and Byzantine castles and old Turkic tents in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, June 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

ISTANBUL (AP) — Under the sweltering Turkish sun, tourists wander through sets that recreate Ottoman and Byzantine-era castles, take selfies with actors in traditional Ottoman costumes and watch horseback stunt performances. Among them is Riia Toivanen, 22, a devoted fan of Turkish television drama who traveled to Istanbul from Finland with her mother to delve into the realm of her beloved shows.

Some 8,000 miles (12,800 kilometers) across the globe in Villa Carlos Paz in Argentina, 66-year-old retired teacher Raquel Greco watches an episode of a Turkish romantic comedy, surrounded by memorabilia from her once-in-a-lifetime trip to Istanbul where she visited landmarks she knew from years of watching Turkish shows.

“It seemed to me that I was dreaming, I couldn’t believe I was living what I saw every day in the series,” she said of her visit in April this year.

The global popularity of Turkish TV dramas -- or dizi in Turkish -- has thrust Turkey into the position of a leading exporter of television, greatly bolstering the nation’s international image and drawing millions of viewers and tourists worldwide to its historical and cultural sites which are backdrops to many of the shows.

The success of television shows has fueled a burgeoning billion-dollar industry that continues to expand into new markets, experts say. The popularity of these shows is also greatly enhancing Turkey’s soft power on a global scale.

Between 2020 and 2023, the global demand for Turkish series increased by 184%, positioning Turkey as one of the biggest exporters of TV shows around the world, according to Parrot Analytics, a research company.

“We reach over 400 million viewers every night around the world,” said Izzet Pinto, CEO of Global Agency, which exports Turkish dramas to world markets. “The soft power we create with Turkish dramas cannot be even compared to what could be done in politics.”

Although “Deli Yurek” was the first Turkish series to be exported — to Kazakhstan in 2001 — it was the 2005 romantic series “Gumus” that catapulted Turkish dizis to global fame. The series, which revolves around a woman from a traditional background adapting to urban life, became immensely popular in the Middle East.

“A Thousand and One Nights,” a 2006 romantic drama loosely based on the collection of Middle Eastern folktales and set in modern-day Istanbul, captivated audiences in the Balkans. “Magnificent Century,” based on the 16th-century Ottoman Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, led the way for historical fiction.

Once an importer of Latin American telenovelas, Turkey is now exporting its dramas to the region. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro visited the set of the historical drama series “Resurrection: Ertugrul” in 2018, highlighting the appeal of the dizi in his nation.

Haley Uganadi, the founder of the Turkish TV series fan platform “Dizilah,” says the popularity of the dramas comes from themes that focus on family, friendship, and love, usually set against the backdrop of luxurious lifestyles in Istanbul or Turkey’s rich history.

“They offer something for everyone, regardless of where you are from. Watching Turkish dramas, I see reflections of my mom, myself, and my siblings,” Uganadi said.

Her platform receives about 1.5 million viewers monthly, with fans from the United States, Canada, Greece, India, and Pakistan.

Pinto points to the family-oriented nature of Turkish dramas. “There’s no nudity, no cursing or bad words, not much hate. So, this becomes watchable by the family,” he explains.

As the industry grows, it is expanding the themes of its series, such as “Red Roses,” which explores the dynamics between a staunchly secular Western-oriented family and a fictional Islamic brotherhood.

During a lull in filming, actor Ozcan Deniz, who previously starred in series such as “The Mansion with Vines” and “Bride of Istanbul,” said this diversification was essential if the industry is to flourish.

“Countries that were not able to transform (into) a different genre are now lagging behind in the export of series,” Deniz said. “Turkey has now caught this momentum, but if it cannot diversify, if it cannot also tell different things, it will end somewhere.”

Toivanen and her mother were touring Bozdag Film Studios, a vast complex in northern Istanbul, where historical Ottoman-era blockbusters like “Resurrection: Ertugrul” and “Foundation: Osman” were shot.

Toivanen says her love of the romantic dramas “Black Money Love” and “Endless Love” brought her to Istanbul. “I like Turkish culture very much,” she said. ”(The series are) very friendly and warm, and there is a lot of drama going on.”

The first episode of “Resurrection: Ertugrul” had over 157 million views on the Urdu-language YouTube channel of Turkish state broadcaster TRT, said producer and screenwriter Mehmet Bozdag, who created the popular historical dramas that fictionalize the lives of Ottoman leaders and heroes. “Foundation: Osman” was broadcast in over 110 countries, he said.

During its run, “Resurrection: Ertugrul” peaked as the fourth most in-demand show worldwide in May 2020, with demand more than 68 times that of the average show worldwide, according to Parrot Analytics.

Dr. Deniz Gurgen Atalay, assistant professor of film and TV at Bahcesehir University in Istanbul, cited Turkish media as saying the industry generated $1 billion in 2023 from overseas exports and has an important impact on tourism, especially in Istanbul.

“The TV series sector has a huge share in this. The image of Istanbul presented by the series, the food eaten here, the drinks drunk, the music listened to, the living standards, and the culture here offer a very pleasant place of appreciation within the framework of the series,.” Atalay said.

Mert Yazicioglu, another star of “Red Roses,” whose eagerly anticipated second season is set to premiere in late September, was clad in the attire of his character, a member of an Islamic sect, when he took a break from filming to chat.

The series has propelled the soft-spoken 31-year-old to stardom, with Turkey’s media tracking his every footstep.

“We have introduced Turkish culture abroad. That makes us very happy,” he said, wearing his character’s baggy beige trousers and matching waistcoat.

Associated Press journalists Hernan Munoz in Barcelona, Spain, Mario Tizon in Los Cocos, Argentina, Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, and Khalil Hamra and Mehmet Guzel in Istanbul, Turkey, contributed to this report.

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Jul 15, 2024

California’s economy leads the nation

What you need to know : Over the past three months, California has announced that it retained its title as the fifth largest economy in the world, reached record-high tourism spending, created thousands of fast food jobs, and more.

SACRAMENTO – California is leading the nation’s economic growth. Since April, Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that the state has retained its title as the world’s fifth largest economy, broken tourism-spending records, increased its population, created thousands of fast food jobs, has the most companies on the Fortune 500 list, and expanded businesses in San Francisco.

“There’s only one state with a dream – the California Dream. Built on opportunity, promise, and ingenuity, California is the nation’s economic driver and the place people across the globe look to to see what’s possible. That’s why we continue to grow businesses, expand our economy, break records, and create thousands of jobs across the state.” Governor Gavin Newsom

World’s fifth largest economy

California is the 5th largest economy in the world for the seventh consecutive year, with a nominal GDP of nearly $3.9 trillion in 2023 and a growth rate of 6.1% since the year prior, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. On a per capita basis, California is the second largest economy in the world among large economies.

Highest level of tourism spending

California has the largest market share of tourism in the nation. Travel spending in the state reached an all-time high of $150.4 billion last year, surpassing the record $144.9 billion spent in 2019 – spending that is 3.8% higher than 2019 and 5.6% higher than 2022. 

The new travel-spending record generated $12.7 billion in state and local tax revenue by visitors in 2023, marking a 3% increase over 2019. Tourism created 64,900 new jobs in 2023, bringing total industry employment to 1,155,000.

Increasing population

California’s population increased by 67,000 people last year to 39,128,162, according to data by the California Department of Finance. The state’s population growth can be attributed to an increase in legal foreign immigration and natural population increasing. This is the first year since 2020 that the state has seen a net increase.

Thousands of fast food jobs created

According to new state and federal employment data, California’s fast food industry has added jobs every month this year, including roughly 10,600 new jobs in the two months since Governor Newsom signed the fast food minimum wage bill into law.

Most companies on the Fortune 500 list

For the first time since 2014, California is home to the most Fortune 500 companies in the country – beating out Texas, Florida, and all other states. From tech to finance to entertainment, the state’s diverse economy has 57 companies on the list, while Texas and New York are tied in second with 52 companies each.

Businesses are expanding

Last month, Visa opened up their new state-of-the-art headquarters in San Francisco. They are one of countless companies to recently announce new investments in the Golden State. Hamdi Ulukaya also announced he is re-establishing Anchor Brewing, Nintendo is opening up its second U.S. store in San Francisco, and Disneyland is expanding its theme park with a $1.9 billion investment. 

Economy , Press Releases , Recent News

Where can I livestream the 2024 Republican National Convention? Where to watch in Tennessee

America has its eyes set on Milwaukee this week as the Republican National Committee Convention comes to town and the GOP delegation names their official candidate for the 2024 presidential race.

The four-day event in Wisconsin's largest city welcomes conservatives from all over the nation to listen to speakers, mingle, finally find out who former President Donald Trump will announce as his running mate and cast the official vote for the Republican candidate for president (presumptively it will be Trump). Those not going will be able to read highlights and view live feeds of main speakers and events at the convention during the four-day event via the USA TODAY Network.

Security will be among the major concerns in the wake of Saturday's shooting at Trump's rally in Pennsylvania, which injured the former president and killed one attendee.

So here's everything to know ahead of the Republican National Convention and just how you can watch it live every day.

When is the Republican National Convention?

The Republican National Convention begins Monday, July 15 and runs through Thursday, July 18 .

Where can I livestream Day 1 of the 2024 RNC Convention?

USA TODAY will be live streaming every day of the Republican National Convention starting at approximately 7 p.m. ET. You can watch Day 1 below or find it here .

You can also find more coverage of the RNC convention and other news via USA TODAY's YouTube channel here .

The convention will also be available to stream on the following channels: YouTube, X, Facebook Live, Rumble, Amazon Prime, Twitch and Direct TV, according to an RNC spokesperson.

Fox News Media will also have coverage across its platforms. You can find the schedule here .

Who are the speakers for the 2024 RNC convention?

So far, an official list of speakers has not been made public, but the names that have been reported range from former presidential candidates to former reality TV stars.

Sources around the USA TODAY network have confirmed some of the people expected to speak during the convention this week, it includes people like Florida Gov. and former Republican presidential candidate  Ron DeSantis , former reality TV star and Kanye’s ex  Amber Rose , Indiana  Congressman Jim Banks  and Iowa's Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird. Donald Trump, Jr. , is also expected to address the crowd just before Trump Sr.'s vice presidential nominee, who still remains a mystery to everyone but the presumptive candidate.

Iowa’s Republican Party Chair Jeff Kaufmann will deliver the Republican National Committee's speech formally nominating Donald Trump for president,  the Des Moines Register reported Thursday .

Former GOP presidential nominee hopeful Nikki Haley will speak at the convention after all. A spokesman for the former South Carolina governor said  she wasn’t invited last week but a RNC official said she will be speaking this week .

How many people are expected to attend the 2024 Republican National Convention?

Tens of thousands of visitors are expected in Wisconsin for the event, including delegates from all 50 states and six U.S. territories.

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

Nursing aide turned sniper: Thomas Crooks' mysterious plot to kill Trump

BUTLER, Pa. – Donald Trump and would-be assassin Thomas Crooks started on their violent collision course long before the former president's political rally ended in gunshots and death.

Crooks, 20, was a one-time registered Republican, a nursing home worker with no criminal record, shy in school, and living in a decent middle-class neighborhood in suburban Pennsylvania with his parents. Trump, 78, was eyeing Crooks' state as a key battleground – but not in the way that anyone envisioned on Saturday.

Riding high on polls showing that he's got a strong chance of toppling President Joe Biden, the former president had been campaigning for reelection in swing states, and Pennsylvania is a key prize. Trump won the state in 2016 but lost it four years later.

And on July 3, Trump's campaign announced he would hold a rally at the Butler Farm Show grounds, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh.

"Pennsylvania has been ravaged by monumental surges in violent crime as a direct result of Biden’s and Democrats’ pro-criminal policies," Trump's campaign said in announcing the event, noting that when he's elected, he'll "re-establish law and order in Pennsylvania!"

The Saturday attack on Trump turned the heated rhetoric of the 2024 presidential campaign freshly violent. Authorities said bullets fired from Crooks' AR-15 style rifle about 150 yards away grazed Trump's ear, killed a rally attendee as he dove to protect his family, and critically wounded two others. Secret Service agents killed Crooks moments later.

Attack planned well in advance

Investigators are still seeking Crooks' motive – despite his Republican leanings, he had donated recently to a progressive voter-turnout campaign in 2021 – but indicated he'd planned the attack well in advance.

The shooting marks the first assassination attempt against a former or current U.S. president since President Ronald Reagan was injured in a March 1981 shooting at a Washington, D.C., hotel. 

There are many questions about why Crooks turned into a would-be presidential assassin, firing indiscriminately into hordes of political supporters.

FBI special agent Kevin Rojek said on a call with media that law enforcement located "a suspicious device" when they searched Crooks' vehicle and that it's being analyzed at the FBI crime lab.

"As far as the actions of the shooter immediately prior to the event and any interaction that he may have had with law enforcement, we're still trying to flesh out those details now," Rojek said.

None of Crooks' shocked neighbors or high school classmates described him as violent or that he in any way signaled he was intent on harming Trump. Sunday morning, reporters and curious locals swarmed the leafy streets of the home where Crooks lived with his parents in Bethel Park, about 50 miles from the shooting scene.

Those who knew him described a quiet young man who often walked to work at a nearby nursing home. One classmate said he was bullied and often ate alone in high school.

Sunday morning, neighbor Cathy Caplan, 45, extended her morning walk about a quarter mile to glimpse what was happening outside Crooks’ home.“It came on the morning news and I was like ‘I know that street,’” said Caplan, who works for the local school district. "It feels like something out of a movie.”

Dietary aide turned deadly killer

Authorities say they are examining Crooks' phone, social media and online activity for motivation. They said he carried no identification and his body had to be identified via DNA and biometric confirmation.

Although no possible motive has yet been released, Crooks nevertheless embodies the achingly familiar profile of an American mass shooter: a young white man, isolated from peers and armed with a high-powered rifle. His attack was one of at least 59 shootings in the United States on Saturday, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

According to records and online posts of the ceremony, Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School, about 42 miles from Butler County, on June 3, 2022. That same day, Trump met briefly with investigators at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida as they examined whether he improperly took classified documents with him when he left the White House.

A classmate remembered Crooks as a frequent target of bullies. Kids picked on him for wearing camouflage to class and his quiet demeanor, Jason Kohler, 21, said. Crooks usually ate lunch alone, Kohler said.

Crooks worked as a dietary aide at the Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, less than a mile from his home. In a statement provided to USA TODAY on Sunday, Marcie Grimm, the facility's administrator, said she was "shocked and saddened to learn of his involvement."

Neighbor Dean Sierka, 52, has known Crooks and his parents for years. The families live a few doors apart on a winding suburban street, and Sierka’s daughter, who attended elementary, middle and high school with Crooks, remembers him as quiet and shy. Sierka said they saw Crooks at least once a week, often when he was walking to the nursing home from his parents' three-bedroom brick house.

"You wouldn’t have expected this," Sierka said. "The parents and the family are all really nice people."

"It's crazy," he added.

Secret Service role: Did they do enough?

Founded in 1865, the Secret Service is supposed to stop this kind of attack, and dozens of agents were present Saturday. As the former president and presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Trump's public appearances are managed by the Secret Service, which works with local law enforcement to develop security plans and crowd-management protocols.

In the days before the event, the agency's experts would have scouted the location, identified security vulnerabilities, and designed a perimeter to keep Trump and rally attendees safe. Congress and the Secret Service are now investigating how Crooks was able to get so close to the former president, and several witnesses reported seeing him in the area with the gun before Trump took the stage.

As the event doors opened at 1 p.m., the temperature was already pushing close to 90, and ticketed attendees oozed through metal detectors run by members of the Secret Service's uniformed division. Similar to airport security screenings, rallygoers emptied their pockets to prove they weren't carrying guns or other weapons.

Media reports indicate the Secret Service had in place, as usual, a counter-sniper team scanning the surrounding area for threats.

In an exclusive interview, former Secret Service Director Julia Pierson told USA TODAY that maintaining such a sniper security perimeter is part of the agency's responsibility for safeguarding protectees like Trump from harm. She said agents typically consider 1,000 yards to be the minimum safe distance for sniper attacks.

The Secret Service has confirmed that it is investigating how Crooks got so close to Trump, who took the stage shortly after 6 p.m. Officials say Crooks' rifle was legally obtained but have not yet released specifics.

Outside the venue at that time, Greg Smith says he tried desperately to get the attention of police. He told the BBC that he and his friends saw a man crawling along a roof overlooking the rally. Other witnesses said they also saw a man atop the American Glass Research building outside the official event security perimeter, well within the range of a 5.56 rifle bullet.

"We noticed the guy bear-crawling up the roof of the building beside us, 50 feet away from us," Smith told the BBC. "He had a rifle, we could clearly see him with a rifle."

Smith told the BBC that the Secret Service eventually saw him and his friends pointing at the man on the roof.

"I'm thinking to myself, why is Trump still speaking, why have they not pulled him off the stage?" Smith said. "Next thing you know, five shots rang out."

From his nearby deck, Trump supporter Pat English watched as the former president took the stage to Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A.," and attendees raised their cell phones to record.

English had taken his grandson to see the rally earlier but left when it got too hot. From his deck, they listened as Trump began speaking at 6:05 p.m., backed by a crown of red-hatted MAGA supporters waving "fire Joe Biden" signs.

And then gunfire began.

Boom, boom, boom

"I heard a 'boom, boom, boom' and then screams,” English said Sunday. "I could see people running and the police run in."

Trump was saying the word "happened" as the first pop rang out. He reached up to grab his ear as two more shots echoed, and the crowd behind him – and Trump himself – ducked. Plainclothes Secret Service agents piled atop the president as a fusillade of shots rang out, apparently the Secret Service killing Crooks.

The crowd screamed, and the venue's sound system picked up the agents atop Trump planning to move the former president to safety. One yelled, "shooter's down. Let's move, let's move."

The agents then helped Trump back to his feet as they shielded him on all sides.

The sound system then picked up Trump's voice: "Wait, wait," he said, before turning to the audience and triumphantly raising his fist to yell "fight, fight" as the crowd cheered, blood streaming down his face.

By 6:14 p.m. Trump's motorcade was racing from the scene, and in a later statement, Trump's campaign said he was checked out at a local medical facility.

"I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear," Trump said in a statement. "I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening."

Firefighter 'hero' gunned down

Outside of the Butler Township Administration Office Sunday afternoon, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro identified the rally attendee killed by Crooks as Corey Comperatore, a firefighter, father of two and longtime Trump supporter.

“Corey died a hero,” Shapiro said. “Corey dove on his family to protect them last night at this rally. Corey was the very best of us. May his memory be a blessing.”

Two other Pennsylvanians are still undergoing treatment for their injuries, Shapiro said.

Pennsylvania State Police identified two wounded attendees David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township. Both are hospitalized and listed in stable condition. Shapiro said he spoke with the family of one victim and received a message from the other.

Biden spoke briefly with Trump on Saturday night, and the president condemned the assassination attempt as “sick.” He said there’s no place for political violence in the U.S. and called on Americans to unite together to condemn it.

But earlier in the week, Biden told campaign donors in a private phone call it was time to stop talking about his own disastrous presidential debate performance and start targeting Trump instead.

"I have one job and that's to beat Donald Trump," Biden said. "We're done talking about the (June 27) debate. It's time to put Trump in the bullseye."

Republicans across the country have used similar language to attack their opponents over the years, and political scientists say violent rhetoric used worldwide almost invariably leads to physical violence.

On Sunday, someone parked a truck-mounted electronic billboard at the gates to the Butler Farm Show grounds reading "Democrats attempted assassination," along with a picture of Trump clutching an American flag, his face overlaid with a bullseye crosshairs.

Authorities say they have not yet determined a motive for Crooks' attack. But in a statement, Trump declared the shooting an act of evil and thanked God for preventing the unthinkable.

"We will fear not, but instead remain resilient in our faith and defiant in the face of wickedness," Trump said.

And he said he'd be back on the campaign trail for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which starts Monday.

"Based on yesterday’s terrible events, I was going to delay my trip to Wisconsin, and the Republican National Convention, by two days," Trump said on his Truth Social account Sunday, "but have just decided that I cannot allow a 'shooter,' or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else."

Contributing: David Jackson, Aysha Bagchi, Christopher Cann, Bryce Buyakie, Emily Le Coz, Josh Meyer, USA TODAY Network

How the assassination attempt unfolded : Graphics, maps, audio analysis show what happened