Blockbuster Films Create Blockbuster Property Locations

The release of a major film can attract holidaymakers to a particular destination, it has been suggested and has lead to the coining of the term set-jetting. Here at Nubricks we believe that the likes of blockbuster releases such as Pirates of the Caribbean shot on location in Great Exuma and Grand Bahama islands and Cold Mountain filmed mostly in the Transylvania region of Romania have done more to highlight the natural beauty of these countries and foster visitor appeal than high profile expensive tourism marketing campaigns. Furthermore they have sparked the property investment potential of these parts of the world by firstly showing the general public that these places exist, what they really look like and proving that some of the worlds most spectacular sights remain outside the old travel standards.

According to Sean Tipton, spokesperson for the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta), the “want-to-go factor” is increased for locations which are featured on the big screen. He said: “Every time we have a big blockbuster, or a very successful movie, there is always a rather large boost to the countries concerned. In the tourist industry, it always happens.”

The Abta representative pointed to the release of the first Lord of the Rings film in 2001 as the starting point for a rise in the number of Britons holidaying in New Zealand.

Currently receiving the Hollywood treatment is the idyllic and peaceful town of Bovec in Slovenia where The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian has just begun filming with the location under heavy guard even the air space above Bovec is closed. According to comments on Narniaweb.com by the local tourist agency “At the moment, I think all the accommodation is filled to capacity.” Major film projects demand huge teams all of whom need local accommodation, bringing much needed revenue to local hotels such as the Kanin Hotel.

High profile celebrities also lends themselves well to tourist spots, Angelina Jolie having just returned from filming on location in Prague in the Czech Republic shooting her new movie Wanted jetting over to Bilbao for a child-free weekend getaway. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have also been spotted enjoying some of the city’s spectacular attractions, including Prague Castle, the Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock and Charles Bridge. The beauty of the Czech Capital has also been the principal location for the likes of Mission Impossible, The Bourne Identity, Underworld, Hellboy, Hart’s War and Spy Game, starring Brad Pitt. Jolie moves onto Egypt and Russia next year to shot a sequel to The Thomas Crown affair alongside ex-bond star Pierce Brosnan.

Angelina Jolie does the morning school
run. Angelina Jolie pictured here
taking Maddox Jolie-Pitt to school (06/25/2007).
Photo Credit: Simon Earl/Mark Raishbrook / Splash News

It’s not just location shots which prompt visitors to jet-set but the obsession with all things celebrity has created a business around tourism travellers mimicking their showbiz counterparts holiday destinations of choice, with Jolie, Moss and P Diddy putting resorts such as Marrakesh, Cambodia and Hawaii with the advent of Lost fever at the top of many individuals ‘places to visit lists’.

Last week, YourMalta.com claimed that tourist numbers to the Mediterranean island have been driven up by a combination of low-cost flights and the prospect that soap opera Coronation Street may film a number of episodes in the country. Hopefully, it will do a better job than Eldorado at portraying Brits abroad, though maybe it was just that Eldorado was before its time!