Film Tourism

Game of thrones is on a lot of people’s radar at the moment. It has helped changed the face of TV but it has also changed the way we travel. Since appearing on the show destinations such as Ireland and Croatia have become top places to visit. And the tourism industry is starting capitalize with themed tours and activities.

Books and films play a large part in modern culture. When a certain medium hits the global audience it can then affect other areas including tourism. These affects could be anything from more visitors to areas of particular importance to the increase in employment. This is a fairly new tourism phenomenon that is increasing rapidly as books and films are brought to a larger audience, acting as an advert for destinations.

Lord of the Rings changed tourism in New Zealand. Due to the success of the movies and fans of the books there has been a surge in what is now called Tolkien Tourism, which is when people visit areas associated with the films, the book or Tolkien’s life. New Zealand has seen a reported 50% increase in tourism since the release of peter Jackson’s trilogy in 2001.  I have never been to New Zealand but after seeing Lord of the Rings it has definitely made its way onto places to visit in the future.

With the increase in these areas and the demand for new services relating to this phenomenon there will continue to be a large market and people reaching new and interesting areas. The success that New Zealand has seen will not be the first, currently Iceland is experience in the same thing as it has been picked as a filming location for many recent science fiction films.

The future for these destinations looks great as they are able to negotiate for better benefits and attract tourists. The latest Avatar sequels are due to be filmed in New Zealand over the next few years. The studio has made a $400 million deal with the New Zealand government involving the filming and production of the movies, this will lead to an increase in employment and possibly a further increase in tourism as people see the movies. 

Films and TV have changed the way we make our travel choices. Where have you visited since your saw it on the big screen?

Film Tourism
Game of Thrones fans may recognize this as Meereen.

Find out how to visit Klis Fortress HERE

Dubrovnik – King’s Landing

Now with the success of Game of Thrones Croatia has been attracting its fair share of attention with many destinations featuring in the show. Dubrovnik doubles as Kings Landing, Klis Fortress as Meereen and many other smaller locations through out the country. Since the show started tourism in Iceland, Ireland and Croatia has increased, hotel bookings in Morocco are up by 100%!

Dubrovnik was an expensive city and it makes me wonder if their Game of Thrones success had played a part in this. The walk around the city walls, even though it was magnificent, was over priced. Does filming bring money to the area or is it just tourism? Just down the coast a hotel is left abandoned, its courtyard another filming location.

Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik

Follow the link below to see Dubrovnik in Game of Thrones:

So I went to King’s Landing aka Dubrovnik, Croatia

Byron

Lake District
Lake District, UK

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more,
From these our interviews, in which I steal
From all I may be, or have been before,
To mingle with the Universe, and feel
What I can ne’er express, yet cannot all conceal
– Byron

Looking for more inspiration try HERE or HERE.

South Downs Way

I was browsing the internet and came across a list of the top national parks near to great cities.  I clicked on the link and was filled with pride when I saw the South Downs were the first on the list. The South Downs are not far from my home town in the UK and I have spent many a Sunday walking in the park. In 2012 a spent a few unusually hot days in March walking a stretch of the South Downs Way.

© Our Shadows Will Remain

If you would like to see the full article click HERE.

9/11 Memorial

It was security check after security check on our way through the line to enter the monument but once we made it through we came into this beautiful open green space in the center of downtown New York. The museum wasn’t open at the time of my visit but opened shortly after. I peered through the large glass windows and inside you could see the iron girder that was one of the last remaining pieces of the Twin Towers.

At the site of where the towers had stood there was now two large pools. I stared into the pool watching the water disappear into the hole where the foundations had once laid for the Twin Towers. The calm of the cascading water as it ran deep into the footprint of one of the towers. It was peaceful and beautiful.

There were many trees in the garden that made up the plaza but there was a particular one that was getting a large amount of attention. This wasn’t any tree it was the Survivor Tree, a tree pulled from the rubble of the twin towers. It is now a symbol to many Americans of rebirth as it continues to grow in the center of the memorial.

9/11 Memorial
Survivor Tree

What I didn’t know at the time of my visit was how much trouble and delays the area had gone through to reach this point and still the museum and One World Trade were closed and under construction. Creating this memorial had been difficult and the designers always had to keep in mind those who had been affected. Even the ordering and placement of the names was under discussion for years.

In the documentary 16 Acres they outline these particular delays the area saw and tells of the continuous troubles that the developers, family’s of the victims and the land owners went through. Once the area had been meticulously cleared the corner stone was laid during a ceremony in 2004 but construction of One World Trade would not begin until 4 years later and open 6 years after that!

To honor and remember those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 and as a tribute to the enduring spirit of freedom.

-Corner Stone Inscription

The corner stone was never used in the construction of One World Trade and now resides in an industrial park in Long Island. More trouble came in 2006 when security concerns of the building were raised. At this time the building was being called Freedom Towers and had been redesigned but there was still disagreement between the buildings owner and the land owner.

9/11 Memorial
One World Trade

The memorial plaza was opened on the 10 year anniversary of September 11th. It was a difficult process as the designers had to continuously keep in mind the families of the deceased. In my opinion they have done a great job at creating a place for silent reflection in the heart of the city. A place where those who died would always be remembered.

Now, the area is still under development  and there are plans to build three more skyscrapers in the area. One World Trade is now complete and open for business. Even though the New York skyline has been changed forever it will not be forgotten how it had once been.

Further reading. Take a look at this excellent article from The Independent:

One World Trade Centre Observatory in New York Opens

9/11 Memorial
New York Skyline