Ever caught yourself watching a movie or show and thought, “I need to be there”? You’re not the only one. This thing called movie tourism is blowing up, and people are letting their favorite films and TV shows decide where they’re traveling next.
What’s the Hype?
Movie tourism isn’t new, but it’s hitting different now. According to Expedia, back in 2022, a huge chunk of travelers (like two-thirds of them) said movies and shows totally influenced their travel plans. Think about it: a film sticks around forever, streaming globally, acting like a low-key travel ad. You watch, you fall in love with the scenery, and bam—you’re Googling flights.
Marta Soligo, a tourism expert from UNLV, explains it perfectly: movies sell places way better than billboards. Unlike ads, films don’t have an expiration date. They just sit there, waiting for new audiences to discover them.
Pandemic Made It Bigger
The whole “stay home and binge-watch” vibe during the pandemic supercharged this trend. Shows like White Lotus basically started a travel craze. Season one, set in Hawaii, had people booking rooms at The Four Seasons Maui faster than you can say “aloha.”
Then, season two hit, and Sicily became the new hot spot. Even now, with rumors of Thailand being the backdrop for season three, travel companies are already prepping for the rush.
Debra Loew from Kensington Tours even gave this a name: “set jetting.” It’s just a fancy way of saying people are booking trips to see where their favorite scenes were filmed.
Hollywood to Real Life
Places that were once just movie sets are now tourist hubs. Take Georgia, for example. It’s where they shot Stranger Things, The Hunger Games, and The Walking Dead. One tiny town, Senoia, went from six shops to 150 after the zombie craze hit.
And remember Crazy Rich Asians? After it dropped in 2018, people were all about Singapore. In the U.S. alone, interest in visiting the country tripled.
Even classic films are still doing their thing. Roman Holiday (from way back in 1953) still draws fans to Rome. And let’s not forget The Lord of the Rings putting New Zealand on everyone’s bucket list.
Destinations Know What’s Up
Places aren’t just waiting for the magic to happen—they’re making it happen. Georgia rolled out the red carpet for filmmakers, while Malta is already buzzing because Gladiator 2 is on the way.
In the UK, themed tours for Bridgerton, Harry Potter, and Game of Thrones keep tourists coming. And Dubai? Visits jumped 30% after The Real Housewives of Dubai aired.
It’s not just about movies showing off pretty landscapes. It’s about making people feel connected. Jay Markwalter, a tourism big shot in Georgia, said fans love walking where their favorite characters “lived” on screen.
Why It Slaps
Movies make places look magical. They tell stories, and we all want to be a part of them. Whether it’s sipping butterbeer at the Harry Potter sets or standing where Frodo began his journey in New Zealand, it feels like stepping into another world.
So, next time you’re glued to a screen and fall in love with a backdrop, go ahead—book that trip. Whether it’s a castle, a ranch, or a tropical paradise, movie tourism is making travel way more exciting.