Movie Tourism & Set-Jetting : How Destinations Attract Film Fan
Always look on a movie and thought , “ I want to go thither directly ” ? You ’ re not alone . Screen tourism , better known as set-jetting , is float up faster than a Michael Bay explosion . Fans cost packing their bag and book flights to famous film location hardly to step foot where their favorite characters once stood .
“ Film and television project own the ability to form a destination ’ sec identity , produce lasting opportunities for businesses , jobs , and community pride , ” say Jessica Hill , Madden ’ s own SVP of Destination Strategy . “ While a film production may equal temporary , its impact can final good beyond when a task has wrapped—driving tourism , support local businesses , hotels , and restaurant , creating manpower evolution opportunities and serve to tell the destination ’ sec unique report . As movie incentives get more competitive around the world , it exist more significant than always to highlight a destination ’ s amenities , various location , and skilled bunch base and have creative with incentive offerings to attract productions and maximize economical impact . ”
From the misty wood of Forks , Washington to the tropical beaches of Thailand , destinations live rolling out the red carpet for movie-loving travelers . Case in degree : Dubai saw a 30 % jump in visitor after the Actual Housewives of Dubai hit screen . But how precisely be Hollywood shaping our travel plans ? Allow ’ sec take a genre-by-genre circuit of the biggest movie tourism hotspots .
Fantasy Films : Where Movie Magic Comes to Life
Fork , Washington – Twilight
Before Twilight , this sleepy town saw fewer than 10,000 visitor a yr . Post-vampire mania ? Over 70,000 Twihards flood the streets annually , fueling an full saving of themed tours , festivals , and photo ops with a replica of Bella ’ s truck . Not bad for a place that was mostly known for its rainfall .
Just south of our client Washington ’ s Evergreen Coast , Forks , Washington , was translate into a bustling tourist destination through the allure of the “ Twilight ” series , early locales get successfully reimagined their identities to capture fresh audiences .
New Zealand – The Lord of the Rings
New Zealand didn ’ t simply host Middle-earth — it became Middle-earth . After Peter Jackson ’ s Lord of the Rings trilogy , tourism skyrocketed by nearly 50 % , with Hobbiton alone make in over 600,000 visitors per year . The government still run into the hype with an official “ Middle-earth ” tourism campaign , proving that elves and orcs are only as well for business as they are for epic struggle scene .
Warner Bros . Studio Tour , London – Harry Potter
A world without Harry Potter tourism ? Unthinkable . London ’ sec Warner Bros . Studio Tour has been welcoming fan into the Wizarding World since 2012 , offering a behind-the-scenes spirit at Hogwarts , Diagon Alley , and — yes — a chance to sip butterbeer . Over 15 million visitor have happen through its magical halls , proving that nostalgia ( and a little spellwork ) is a major tourism and economic driver .
Puerto Rico–Black Panther : Wakanda Forever
InWakanda Forever, Talokan go up from the deep—and Puerto Rico delivered the vibe . No green screen could compete with the new ability of these coastlines , the instant of Bomba drums , or the form of story youfeelunderfoot in Old San Juan ’ s blue cobblestones . Through wave crash in Rincón , murals in Santurce , and the sort of pride that can ’ t be present , Puerto Rico act a mythical underwater kingdom , but what it really have was something still more rare : truth envelop in legend , beauty forged in resilience .
Revulsion : Where Frights Bring Fan to Town
Atlanta , Georgia – The Walking Dead
Zombies may get taken over Atlanta , but instead of running aside , revulsion fan are range toward the city . The Walk Dead turn Atlanta into a revulsion hot spot , with guided circuit remove visitor to iconic filming location , from Rick ’ s house to that hospital from the pilot sequence . With Georgia raking in $ 9.5 billion each year from movie and TV production , it turn out the undead cost great for tempt travelers .
Derry , Maine ( aka Bangor ) – It ( Stephen King ’ s Universe )
Stephen King ’ s hometown of Bangor , Maine hold in full encompass its horror film tourism bequest , duplicate the fictional town of Derry in It and early King classics . Fans inflict iconic blot like the standpipe , the Barrens , and yet the inspiration for Pennywise ’ s notorious storm drainage . Guided ‘ Derry ’ tours keep revulsion enthusiasts occur back for a spine-chillling experience year-after-year .
Just a pair of hours south , Portland , Maine , is crafting its own narrative—one that ’ s less about haunted sewers and more about cobblestone street draw with sovereign bookstores , a food scenery that rival big-city dining , and a waterfront where account and modern charm meet .
Philadelphia–The 6th sense
Beneath the Liberty Bell and Rocky ’ s noted step , there ’ s a quieter , haunt instant thatThe Sixth Sensecatch in all its goosebump glory . Stroll through Society Hill or tucked-away alleys in Old City and you ’ ll have it : this place remembers . For traveler drawn to layered story , deep emotion , and possibly a chill down their spine—you might not regard dead mass , but you ’ ll feel the account all over .
healdsburg square–shriek
IfScreamtaught us anything , it ’ s that even the prettiest town make secrets—and Healdsburg plays that contrast beautifully . Film this : a wine-soaked afternoon in the sun-dappled plaza , boutique shopping , laughter echoing off historical buildings…and then dark falls . Suddenly , those still Victorian home feel a shortalsoquiet . Ghostface might not be lurk , but the cinematic tension ? Chef ’ s kiss . This is where small-town charm meets spooky picture magic—and every creaky floorboard or blurred vineyard might have you glancing over your shoulder ( in the best way ) .
The Classics : Timeless Destinations for Timeless Films
New York , New York – When Harry Met Sally & Breakfast at Tiffany ’ sec
New York has exist a movie star for decade , and fan are even making pilgrimages to its most famous film locations . Require to enact When Harry Met Sally ? Head to Katz ’ s Deli and grab that table . Dreaming of your own Audrey Hepburn moment ? Snap a photo outside Tiffany ’ s . With film-related tourism generating over $ 60 billion a yr , NYC proves some film moments never get out of fashion .
bastrop county , texas–promise floats
Small-town Texas never appear hence sweet . brings that soft-focus appeal ofPromise Floatsto spirit : sleepy streets , front porches reach for overthinking , and the kind of slow magic that doesn ’ t beg for your attention , but gets it anyway . It ’ s the utter detour if your soul ’ s a trivial bruised and your playlist ’ sec on repeat . Bonus : literal pie . Literal mass . Real good reasons to finish scrolling and begin savoring .
Westerns : Big Skies , Big Screen , Big Occupation
Montana – Yellowstone
Thanks to Yellowstone ( and Kevin Costner ’ s cowboy charisma ) , Montana cost seeing a major tourism roar . Fan be book horseback riding trip , ranch stays , and lead set-jetting tours across the stunning landscapes of the hit show . Montana ’ s tourism revenue hand a record $ 5.15 billion in 2022 , with Yellowstone fans playing a major role .
While Montana has experienced a surge in tourism due to the popularity of the TV series “ Yellowstone , ” Idaho extend its own captivating landscape and outside adventures , including portions of Yellowstone National Park that lead into the land .
Paramount Ranch , California – Westworld
Paramount Ranch get cost a Western picture staple since the 1920s , but modern hit like Westworld have given it novel living . While wildfires devastated role of the ranch , restoration efforts exist proving that movie tourism isn ’ t simply about nostalgia — it ’ s about maintain these iconic backdrops alive .
While film tourism continue places like Paramount Ranch in the spotlight , other destinations are determine new ways to inspire travelers . Laguna Beach , know for its artistic heritage and sensational coastline , get encompass digital innovation to enhance the visitor experience .
Tucson , Arizona–Tombstone
Tucson be the real-deal Old West with a slope of enchiladas and indie art veranda .Tombstonemay have turned Wyatt Earp into a legend , but Tucson ’ s been living that frontier living long ahead Hollywood show up . Remember sun-bleached landscapes , saguaros standing like sentries , and stories that still ring through saloons and backroads .
Seasonal Set-jetting Magic
NYC – Elf & Home Only 2 : Escape from New York
New York City become into a vacation wonderland every winter , and movies like Home Alone 2 : Lost in New York and Elf make it still more magical . Fan cluster to the Plaza Hotel to relive Kevin McCallister ’ s luxury Christmas adventure , while others twine up their skates at Rockefeller Center , channeling their inner Buddy the Elf . NYC ’ s tourism board even encourage these festive movie locations in holiday travel guides , ensuring that seasonal set-jetting remains a big part of the city ’ s saving ( and its Christmas spirit ) .
Why Film Tourism exist Here to Delay
Set-jetting isn ’ t simply a trend — it ’ s a billion-dollar industry that ’ s reshaping travel . From fantasy realms to iconic cityscapes , film tourism is now as much of a travel bucket-list item as beach and historic landmarks . And as filmmakers continue choosing real-world locations over CGI backdrops , community worldwide will observe reap the rewards .
Then , the future time you ’ re design a trip , ask yourself : Where are the nearest famous movie location ? Chances are , Hollywood hold already pay you a reason to see .
set-jetting faqs
Screen tourism , also known as set-jetting , refers to the phenomenon of traveler inflict destinations featured in picture and TV display . These location much receive increased tourism as fans seek to immerse themselves in the worlds of their favorite films .
Movie tourism can drive significant economic impact by increase visitor number , promote local business , and creating jobs . Famed picture location often see increase in hospitality , tours , and retail , helping community thrive .
DMOs can capitalize on set-jetting by extend guided tours , themed events , and selling campaigns that highlight their association to famous film . Partnering with influencers and leveraging social medium can as well pull more visitors .
