UK Tourism Getting a Boost From the Film Industry
Stewart PerryA brand new study now shows that 1 out of every 10 foreign tourists that comes to the UK do so because they fell in love with the country by way of film. Three million of the annual 30 million international visitors are attracted to beautiful areas around the UK due to hit movies like Harry Potter and Pride and Prejudice.
Tourism brought on by the film industry contributed £1.9 billion to the UK economy during last year alone. This news comes in thanks to a study that was carried out by Oxford Economics on behalf of the UK Film Council.
Some of the most popular locations that are used in movies includes Alnwick Caste in Northumberland, which was used for the setting of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Harry Potter films, and Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, which was the setting for the Keira Knightley film The Duchess. One movie, Miss Potter, which is the Renee Zellweger film about Beatrix Potter, caused such an rise in visitors from Japan that one Lake District firm now employes a full time Japanese tour guide.
The report said that films, not only generate interest in a country, but also act to remind people about what the country has to offer. For example, by showcasing scenery and culture, people are getting a little preview of what the country has to offer them. Just as product placement of cars, computers and drinks in films and television has started to grow, it is no surprise that places are now being featured in films for tourism.
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Filed under Business & Finance, Travel News, UK News