Many guests don’t want to just lie on the beach, by the pool and put their feet up during their vacation. They want to explore their surroundings and experience something new. Visiting filming locations and settings of famous movies and series is very popular among many fans, especially while on vacation.
Partially due to the popularity of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and other streaming services, movie and TV show productions are on the rise. Along with this is an increase in the number of well-known franchises and their respective filming locations.
Many of the filming locations are in large cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, or Chicago. In addition to cities, idyllic villages or scenic locations are also often used as settings.
Famous movie and series settings
Here are a few examples of well-known films and series that have made the filming areas very popular among film tourists:
“The Twilight Saga”
“The Twilight Saga” a popular series of vampire romance novels by Stephenie Meyer, has had a significant impact on the tourism industry in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.
The series is set in the fictional town of Forks, Washington, which has become a pilgrimage site for fans of the books and movies.
Many visitors come to Forks to see the actual locations where the movies were shot, such as Forks High School, Bella’s house, and the Cullen family’s home. The popularity of the Twilight series has led to the creation of Twilight-themed tours, merchandise, and even a festival in Forks every September.
“Game of Thrones”
“Game of Thrones,” the hugely popular fantasy series based on the books by George R.R. Martin, has had a major impact on the tourism industry in several countries, including Croatia, Northern Ireland, and Iceland.
Dubrovnik, a picturesque coastal town in Croatia, served as the filming location for King’s Landing, the capital city of the Seven Kingdoms. Fans of the show flock to Dubrovnik to see the real-life locations where their favorite scenes were shot, such as the stairs leading up to the city walls and the Jesuit Staircase.
In Northern Ireland, fans can visit the Dark Hedges, an avenue of beech trees that served as the backdrop for the Kingsroad.
In Iceland, visitors can see the stunning landscapes of the North beyond the Wall, where many of the show’s most memorable scenes were filmed.
“The Lord of the Rings”
“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, based on the books by J.R.R. Tolkien, was filmed entirely in New Zealand, and the country has become a pilgrimage site for fans of the books and movies.
Visitors can take tours of the various filming locations, such as Hobbiton, the Shire, and the Mount Doom volcano. The popularity of the movies has led to the creation of a vibrant film tourism industry in New Zealand, with many tour operators offering “Lord of the Rings”-themed tours and experiences.
Research for nearby filming locations
Perhaps there is also a place near your vacation rental where, at the very least, individual scenes of a blockbuster or a classic movie were filmed.
This doesn’t necessarily have to be big productions, but perhaps a TV movie, a TV show, or blockbuster film. When researching, also think about the countless Netflix and Amazon Prime series that have been produced in recent years.
Especially if your vacation rental is in the countryside, you can easily find out what was filmed because the local media was sure to report on the filming.
Movies and shows that are famous in other countries
Even if the movies are not well-known in your area, they can be very popular in other countries and attract international guests from abroad.
Make your vacation rental available as a filming location
Additionally, there is also the possibility of offering your vacation accommodation as a filming location. This way, you profit twice as a vacation rental owner.
On the one hand, you receive money for the time your rental is used for filming. The rule of thumb here is one month’s rent per day of filming.
On the other hand, you can advertise afterward that a blockbuster movie or an episode of a Netflix series was filmed in your vacation home. Many series nerds and movie lovers would love to spend a night in such a location.
Of course, this is especially true for unique accommodations that are memorable while watching a movie or series, but it also applies to “normal” vacation rentals.
Movie production companies usually work with location scouts who search for suitable properties before filming begins. They also make use of databases. In order for them to become aware of your rental, you should, therefore, have it listed in one of the databases. You can find more information here.
How to use film tourism to get more bookings
- Point out in your listings that a specific movie or series was filmed in the vicinity of your property.
- Publish information on the topic on your vacation rental website.
- Add pictures, further information, and links to the movies and series in your digital guest guide.
- Offer special guided tours to the film locations or arrange special conditions for your guests with the providers.
- Use social media to target film and series fans.
- Get listed in databases of location scouts and make your property available as a film location.
