Films and Destination Promotion: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Film tourism is quite a new concept, it is also referred to as film-induced or movie-induced tourism. It promotes the tourism advantage induced for any destination or country due to its exposure to public through the film media. This concept is at its nascent stage in the world. Many countries are found to work on this concept after realizing the benefits which can be reaped by their people, society and economy as a whole. Every theory, if advantageous, also tends to present some challenges. This mode of tourism promotion has its own benefits and challenges too for the administration, but, it depends on the government: local and central both, to make use of the concept in the manner befitting most for the locales and the economy. The international or worldwide famous films have been found to do wonders to the inflow of tourist for the country and shooting destinations in specific. Various governments have also started playing a significant role, and contributing by providing assistance to the film producers. In India we have had films promoting various destinations in the country itself through our own Bollywood, whereas some films under the international banner also have had some scenes or part of the film shot in the country. It would be of immense benefit to use this concept for the tourism industry of the country, but before that, it is essential to be prepared to deliver the required infrastructure and facilities. The study of this model is quite complex and requires an exhaustive research to understand the benefits (in exact measures) any country can reap for its economy. This paper aims to induce further research in the field and integrate the efforts and research in the field of tourism and management.