When I travel, I make sure to incorporate two of my favorite things: Film and television.
Last year, I centered one trip around Jamestown, New York, the home of the legendary comedian and my idol, Lucille Ball. This year, I'm visiting Mansfield, Ohio, where both the Shawshank Redemption and A Christmas Story were filmed.
Internationally, I have upcoming trips centered around Italy's Under the Tuscan Sun-based movie and New Zealand's The Lord of the Rings. I even wrote an entire book on the subject that will be released in March, 2018.
Film tourism is an important part of a state's income, as visitors flock to their favorite celebrity's hometown or where a particular movie was filmed. They book hotel rooms, visit museums and other points of interest and spend money in local businesses.
Recently, the new Star Wars: The Last Jedi has sparked interest in trips to Ireland, where scenes in the movie were filmed. Even Mark Hamill has been pushing for travelers to go to Ireland. I was recently interviewed for Bride's magazine on the trend of taking Star Wars-inspired honeymoons.
Travel agents have also seen an increase in film-inspired travel.
Casey Carr, General Manager of Sharon Carr Travel in Dallas, Texas said that the company's first movie tour was in the 1990's and based on Saving Private Ryan. It visited the European battlefields from the film as well as some of the shoot locations.
"Then a Lord of the Rings tour in the early 2000s visited many of the film's locations, although Peter Jackson had made sure that each was completely returned to its natural state," said Carr.
"All except for Hobbiton that is, which is owned by a local family and housed on their sheep farm in Hamilton on the North Island. They kept the structures there and have since improved them, actually, and made themselves a lucrative tour business out of it that is still going strong."
This niche brings tourism to these communities that might not have existed before. Tourism brings money and money creates jobs (which creates more money).
"Hamilton, New Zealand is a perfect example of this," said Carr. "It's a beautiful farming community but wasn't necessarily a stop on anyone's itinerary before it became home to Hobbiton. Now there is a cottage industry in the town as well as gift shops, themed restaurants etc."
Just recently, The Titanic celebrated its 20th anniversary. Belfast, home to the world's largest Titanic visitor experience (Titanic Belfast), celebrated by hosting a red-carpet, movie-themed afternoon tea by its replica Grand Staircase.
Reports say this museum has generated some £105m in additional tourism spend for the region and has hosted over 1,500 events, ranging from Queen Elizabeth's Jubilee lunch to a G8 Summit Reception.
Northern Ireland has also benefited from fans of HBO's Game of Thrones.
"In many instances, film tourism gives a nice to boost to the local economy and helps the travel industry through specialty tours and film-themed experiences," said Janine Queenin, who specializes in planning trips based on books or their film and television adaptations at Storied Adventures located in Westfield, Massachusetts.
"Unfortunately, film tourism may also cause problems," she said. "Ancient sites or fragile ecosystems featured in films are overrun with tourists who unwittingly cause harm to the location. Without planning and protection, those areas could be devastated by overuse.
"The island of Skellig Michael is a great example. Thanks to the most recent Star Wars movies, millions of fans would love to visit this small, ancient wonder, but allowing unlimited access would destroy the place. It's a balance, and the tourism industry can help by promoting responsible and sustainable tourism."
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