Key steps in deciding on travel destinations

The paper presents a seven-stage framework for comprehending travel inspired by films:

1. Accumulation: As a film is watched, it generates mental images that are compared with previous images of the same location.

2. Modification: Characters, landscapes, and storylines in a film can help the viewer relate to the story, thus reinforcing the impact of the mental images.

3. Decision: Powerfully-perceived images, when triggered by need, money, and time, can often convince viewers to choose to travel to the filmed destination.

4. Travel to Destination: This stage is a time of excitement when the imagined dream becomes a reality.

Participation in a destination and its image is confirmed or disconfirmed by reality. For return travel, assessing satisfaction with the visit is essential. Reviewing photos or videos will reinforce positive sentiment and potentially drive future visits. Additionally, watching new videos can add to one’s “image store,” generating fresh possibilities for future travels.

Which places have received the most influx of tourists after the movies?

(Lord of the Rings) – New Zealand

When the first Lord of the Rings film premiered in 2001, millions of movie-goers were introduced to perhaps the movie’s biggest breakout star: the breathtaking volcanoes, sweeping forests, and turquoise-colored lakes and rivers of New Zealand. Before the film’s release, New Zealand had been largely unknown to most Americans as a vacation destination. After the film’s release, however, New Zealand became “Middle Earth,” with the sparsely populated country suddenly on every traveler’s “must visit” list. As a result, tourism to New Zealand increased by 50 percent.

(Game of Thrones) – Croatia, Iceland, and Northern Ireland

Before the release of Game of Thrones, the popular dragon-themed fantasy series, Iceland received roughly 566,000 visitors annually. Following the release of the show on HBO, the annual number of visitors to Iceland rose to over one million. According to TripAdvisor, the show has led to a 120 percent increased interest in the Nordic island country. 

Croatia and Ireland have also experienced increases in tourism numbers, thanks to the 38-Emmy Award-winning show. The fictional city of “Kings Landing” was filmed in a Croatian city, resulting in a 10 percent increase in visitors to Croatia.

(Harry Potter) – Alnwick Castle, England

When you head to Alnwick Castle in the English county of Northumberland, you might spot a few youngsters wearing capes and carrying broomsticks. While this 922-year-old castle has drawn tourists interested in history for years, it wasn’t until 2001 when a lightning-bolt-tattooed boy waved his wand that it developed a passionate new fan base. Alnwick Castle served as Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter movies, leading to a massive 230% surge in visitors since 2011. It used to be the ancestral estate of the Duke of Northumberland!

Many travel trends are related to the film industry and this cannot be denied. You are more likely to want to visit some unique place seen in a movie than just from pictures on the Internet. Try watching Netflix US from the UK and visit one of them on your next trip. Although it can be difficult to figure out how to watch UK Netflix in the US or vice versa, you should do it. In fact, it is not difficult, you just need instructions. You can find it at the link above.

(Mission Impossible II) – Sydney, Australia

Two years prior to the famous movie line “42 Wallaby Way, Sydney” that sent tourists scouring the streets of the Australian capital in search of a clownfish named Nemo, Sydney was thrust into the spotlight thanks to the Hollywood hit “Mission Impossible II” directed by John Woo. The year 2000 film starred Tom Cruise and Thandie Newton and showcased several iconic Sydney landmarks, including the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and Bare Island. The movie is estimated to have boosted tourism in Sydney by 200%.

(Breaking Bad) – Albuquerque, New Mexico

Although it is difficult to pinpoint the precise economic impact that Breaking Bad has had on Albuquerque’s tourism, tourism officials have revealed that the number of visitors to New Mexico who stays overnight and engages in “cultural activities” has increased since 2011. Even though the show has been off the air since 2013, tour companies report that their Breaking Bad sightseeing tours are still sold out every day. Entrepreneurs have capitalized on the show by offering a rock candy version of Walter White’s concoction, “Bathing Bad” bath salts, and RV tours modeled after the one used by Walt and Jesse.

(Star Wars: The Force Awakens) – Skellig Michael, Ireland

Getting to the remote island of Skellig Michael is no easy feat. While transportation by the Millennium Falcon isn’t required, visitors must take a plane to Northern Ireland, a ferry to the island, and reserve a spot (only 180 visitors are allowed per day). Nonetheless, despite the challenging journey, 16,755 people visited the 54-acre island, which was once inhabited by a Gaelic Christian monastery, last year. However, “welcome” may not be the best word to describe it.

Conclusion

As evidenced by these examples, the film industry has had a great impact on tourism around the world. From Lord of the Rings in New Zealand to Breaking Bad in Albuquerque, movies have inspired massive influxes of visitors to all kinds of places. Seeing these iconic locations in person can be a great way to engage with beloved films and share experiences with others who are passionate about them.

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#1 Sip beer with the Simpsons

Take a rest and sip from Homer Simpson’s favorite beverage, with three varieties of Duff Beer available only at Universal Studios. Despite the running joke on the show that all three are the same beer, the real-life versions come in three varieties – Duff (a lager), Duff Lite (a light beer), and Duff Dry (a stout).

#2 Have your face printed on an Avatar figurine

Avatar fans should stop at Disney’s Pandora: The World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom where they can have their faces printed onto a blue-skinned Na’vi action figure.

#3 Feed Sting Rays

You may have already touched a dolphin or a sea lion but have you felt the velvety skin of stingrays? Dip your hands into the pool at SeaWorld Orlando and feed the cute marine animals. This experience is available for all ages and even the youngest children can experience the euphoria when the fish slips out of their hands straight into the stingray’s mouth.

#4 Get a Haircut at Disney

The Magic Kingdom’s Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street, USA, is where kids and parents can have their new haircut – why not inspired by your favorite Disney princesses?

#5 Become a real magician

Wave that interactive wand from Ollivander’s Wand Shop and experience some real-life magic. Yes, objects move, water splashes and, all in all, there’s no doubt that magic exists at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort.

#6 Send a postcard from the Owl Post

One more special experience for the Harry Potter fans is the Hogsmeade’s Owl Post at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort.

#7 Play ‘I spy…’ with Mickey Mouse

Embark on a scavenger hunt for hidden mickeys, a famous “secret” of the Disney Parks.  Everything from rides to décor and even walking paths at Disney properties feature subtle Mickey shapes, some easier to spot than others.

All photos courtesy of Visit Orlando.

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And don’t forget, the parks are like a rehabilitation center – they have an extremely positive effect on our psyche and physique.

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Copenhagen is known for its rich cultural heritage, cycling and capricious weather. It is enriched by the dynamic lifestyle of the people and the artists that live and create here. And yet, what is the most entertaining way to discover a city without actually visiting it? It’s watching a movie shot there.

Statue of the Little Mermaid

Copenhagen, the way it is now

Canadian writer and director Mark Raso thought exactly that when he made the movie „Copenhagen” in 2014. In this romantic drama, the main character, William, goes to Denmark in search of his grandfather. While in Copenhagen, he meets a young girl who helps him trace his relative. You are actually taken on the adventurous trip that William challenges himself to do. The movie focuses on Denmark, exactly as it is in present time – rich day-life with cafes, museums, restaurants and parks, and feverish nightclubs after dark. A few rather famous tourist places are slipped into the movie for extra authenticity. One of the locations that has been used is the Thorvaldsens museum that has been active for over 150 years. It features the works of Danish artist Bertel Thorvaldsens (1770 – 1884). The museum is mostly filled with sculptures but some of the sketches used for them have been used as separate art. An interesting fact is that the venue can be hired to provide a fairytale wedding ceremony for you and your soulmate.

The quayside of Nyhavn

Copenhagen, the way it was before

And yet probably no other movie can show the beauty of Copenhagen, even if it is set in the past, like “The Danish Girl” (2015). Tom Hooper, director of the award-winning movie, succeeded in recreating the city as it was in its post-World War I period. It received both praise and criticism due to its controversial story, but who are we to judge. The scenes show a lot of iconic places in Copenhagen, such as Børsen, The Royal Theatre and the Fiolstræde Læsesal library, which is a part of the Copenhagen University. The scene shot in this library was actually portraying a library in France, but the crew decided to show that Copenhagen is beautiful on the inside as well as on the outside. The Nyhavn canal district is also used a lot in the movie since it is the residence of the main characters (Einar and Lili). This district, in the past, was a big commercial port that had lots of tradesmen, fishermen and pubs. It is also famous for the houses that were built in that area since some of them date back to the late 17th century. One of the most cult Danish writers, Hans Christian Andersen, lived on Nyhavn in the house at number 20. Nowadays, those houses and most of the building have been renovated. A number of different cafes and food joints reside on the street, while tourists have the chance to experience the relaxing atmosphere of the quayside.

Some Danish cuisine

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