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Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The 2025 set-jetting hotlist: 8 locations where film tourism is about to boom
Traveling to famous filming locations is no longer a niche trend. Twenty years ago, 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy drew tourists to New Zealand. Today, fans of 'White Lotus' are flocking to the paradisiacal settings featured in the hit U.S. series. DataPulse Research reveals which destinations are poised to become must-visits for set-jetters in 2025. Lately, there's been a lot of buzz about Koh Samui preparing for a tourism boom. Hotel operators and restaurateurs are hopeful that more affluent travelers will discover the island paradise—arriving with deep pockets and dreams of luxury resorts. Fueling this optimism is the so-called “White Lotus' effect. The cult HBO series has reportedly inspired TV lovers in recent years to spend their holidays at iconic filming locations. This phenomenon, known as set-jetting, is far from new—but it's gaining momentum. 'Screen tourism, or set-jetting, can be traced back to the late 1980s. It has grown significantly over the past few decades,' explains Pedro Barbadillo. He works as a film consultant in Mallorca, Spain, and was until recently the island's film commissioner. He advises film crews on how to ensure a film's authenticity and credibility, among other things. Cult HBO hit 'The White Lotus' is widely credited with inspiring TV lovers to plan their next getaway around an on-screen destination (this season it's Thailand). And while we can definitely understand the allure of swapping the freezing East Coast for the tropics, this is one trend that's been around a lot longer than you might think. When 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies launched in 2012, New Zealand was inundated with tourists keen to catch a glimpse of Middle Earth. As the chart below shows, the year-on-year growth rate in the number of tourists visiting New Zealand rose sharply from near zero in 2012 to more than 11% in 2016. A study by researchers at Leeds Beckett University estimated that 'The Hobbit' trilogy generated an impressive$771.80 million in tourism revenue for New Zealand, benefiting local businesses, tourism operators, and related industries alike. The study also found an overall economic gain of $186.24 million, boosting household incomes, business profits, and tax revenues. Unsurprisingly, not every film or TV destination becomes a major tourist attraction. In the case of the 'Mad Max' films for example, the subsequent increase in Australian tourist numbers was short-lived. The same is true of Kazakhstan. It welcomed a few more tourists than normal after the release of 'Borat,' but those figures soon dropped back to normal levels. For a filming location to become a tourist destination, certain conditions need to be met according to Pedro Barbadillo : 'The location must appear in an iconic film or series that becomes a cultural phenomenon for a specific social group—like millennials or Gen Z.' Additionally, the place must be accessible to mass tourism, Barbadillo adds. Some places strengthen the effect by referencing the film in their marketing or offering themed experiences that draw fans from around the world. If you haven't yet succumbed to the hype surrounding 'White Lotus,' here are the cliff notes: Each six-episode season is set in a different location (Season 1 Hawai'i, Season 2 Sicily, Season 3 Thailand) and follows the lives of staff and uber-rich guests at a luxurious resort. It's darkly humorous and quirky. But is the awareness generated for each destination really enough to send tourism numbers soaring? A quick look at the first three seasons shows two hits and a miss. Looking back, Season 1 triggered a small tourism boom in Hawaii in 2021, specifically at the Four Seasons Resort in South Maui's Wailea, one of the show's key filming locations. Compared to the previous year, website visits increased by 425%, and availability inquiries rose by 386%, according to a Four Seasons manager in an interview with ABC. Travel site Expedia also told ABC that search interest for both Hawaii and Sicily, where Season 2 was filmed, jumped by 300%. Our charts tell a slightly different story. As you can see below, searches for 'flights to Hawaii' and 'Wailea' did spike around the July 11, 2021, release date, but they quickly slumped. What's more, related search terms focused on phrases like 'Hawaii COVID restrictions' and 'Hawaii COVID travel' rather than 'Hawaii White Lotus'. Unsurprisingly so—after all, the world was still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. If the number of searches for 'flights to Hawaii' or 'Wailea' is any indication of 'White Lotus' fans' penchant for set-jetting, Thailand doesn't have much to get excited about. Interestingly, the number of daily Wikipedia page views for Wailea rose by 279% during the first season and remained at that level until the final episode aired. Searches for 'flights to Sicily' and 'San Domenico' (part of the name of the hotel that hosted Season 2) tell a very clear story. Within three months of Season 2 dropping, searches for 'flights to Sicily' grew 144% among U.S. Googlers. Even more dramatically, searches for 'San Domenico' rose more than 800% in the month or so after the season premiere. Search users also used phrases related to 'White Lotus' in their Sicily search terms, telling us they were researching a possible Italian getaway because they'd been influenced by the TV series. For an example of this effect, look at the main search term 'flights to Sicily,' with the fifth fastest growing related team being 'San Domenico Palace.' According to a hotel manager quoted by The Guardian, the San Domenico Palace was fully booked for six months following the season's release. Similarly, the number of daily English-language Wikipedia page views for Sicily and Taormina saw a significant increase following the release of the second season. Judging by the data so far, 'White Lotus' viewers have been captivated by Thailand and driven to act on their wanderlust. Following the season premiere in mid-February of this year, travel to Thailand was mentioned 60% more frequently on social media than before, according to social media analysts at Sprout Social. According to travel platform bookings for flights and hotels in Koh Samui have increased by nearly 30% compared to the same period last year. While similar ups and downs can also be seen in the previous six months, searches for 'Koh Samui' (the specific Thai island where Season 3 is set) increased 170% after the season dropped. Wikipedia page views also reflect the surge of interest in Koh Samui: within 24 hours of the second episode airing, they temporarily spiked by an astonishing 2,976%. Travellers are seeking out destination-related information in larger numbers It isn't just flight searches that are spiking. Would-be visitors are also showing an interest in learning more about each season's destination. While interest in flights to Hawaii remained flat, the number of daily Wikipedia page views for Wailea grew 279% just before the launch of Season 1 and remained elevated through to the final episode airing. Likewise, the number of daily page views for Sicily and Taormina also increased sharply when Season 2 aired, by 150% and 122%, respectively. An analysis of Thailand's Wiki page views does not reveal any obvious reaction to the season premiere, but daily page views for Koh Samui jumped 2,976% in the 24 hours after Episode 2 dropped. American viewers did more than research travel options in 2022 and 2023. As seen below, the number of Americans visiting Sicily in 2022 grew by more than 300% and continued to grow faster than the overall number of tourists in 2023. Could this be down to 'White Lotus'? Anecdotal evidence suggests so. The Four Seasons Domenico Palace reports that it was fully booked for six months after the release of Season 2. The obvious conclusion here is that fans couldn't wait to experience the 'White Lotus' resort in real life. It's also worth noting that the town of Taormino also welcomed way more foreign visitors than usual in the aftermath of Season 2, with the number of hotel check-ins doubling between 2021 and 2022. Showing that the Italian tourist board may well have managed to sustain its TV tourism stream, check-ins have remained elevated and grew by more than 50% in 2023. This could also be due to things like new 'White Lotus' fans going back and re-watching previous seasons (thereby unleashing a desire to visit Sicily) or original fans finally having the time or money to book their dream trip. Which upcoming releases could spark the next big travel wave? DataPulse analyzed streaming data, box office expectations, Google search trends, and fan buzz to identify eight destinations with the potential to become global set-jetting hotspots in 2025. From blockbuster sequels to cult TV follow-ups, these locations offer the perfect mix of cinematic appeal and wanderlust potential. 'Squid Game' Season 2 was only released in December but is already the third most watched Netflix season ever, meaning it could well have the reach to make South Korea the top set-jetting destination of 2025. While the show is set on a fictional island, it does heavily feature iconic architecture from the Daejeon Expo Science Park and Incheon International Airport, helping to bridge the gap between TV and the real world. We can also see evidence of this in the Google search data. 'Squid Game' is the ninth fastest-growing Google topic related to South Korea while the search term 'Squid Game' is one of South Korea's top 25 most closely related Google topics. Such a strong association between the series and its origin country demonstrates the show's remarkable influence over the image of South Korea in the eyes of the world. Set in a fictional United States of the future but shot in the Canada of today, 'The Last of Us' Season 2 set a trailer viewership record for HBO with 158 million global views in only three days. Season 1 cumulatively accrued some 32 million views in the U.S. and the second season, released on April 13, was poised to capture just as many viewers with the same rugged, self-reliant aesthetic. The city where the season is filmed, Mission, British Columbia, has room to grow as a tourist destination—so could it soon welcome an influx of visitors? A recent survey found that attendance at events held in Mission is almost entirely composed of locals, suggesting it's a hidden gem on the tourist trail and ripe for discovery. 'Wednesday' Season 1 is another top-three Netflix hit. Shot in Romania, the first season of 'Wednesday' has been viewed 250 million times and resulted in an uptick of foreign visitors. The second season is set to premiere later this year and features a high-profile cast—most notably, Lady Gaga. Filming took place at various locations across Ireland. Even then—Prime Minister Simon Harris made an appearance on set—after all, it's the largest TV production ever filmed in Ireland. Thailand's population of 66 million welcomed 35 million tourists to the country in 2024. Even if 'White Lotus' doesn't flood Thailand with tourists, 'Jurassic World: Rebirth' just might. Despite being set on a fictional tropical island, the latest release from the 'Jurassic' franchise prominently features breathtaking scenery from sites in Krabi, Thailand, like Ao Phang Nga National Park, Khao Phanom Bencha National Park, and Ko Kradan. Timed for release in the summer blockbuster season, 'Jurassic World: Rebirth' is likely to sell between 30 million and 60 million theater tickets in the U.S. based on prior 'Jurassic World' releases. While parks like Ao Phang Nga National Park already max out their 1,600 daily visit limit, the film's vistas may still push an influx of tourists toward lesser known sites. 'Mission Impossible—The Final Reckoning' will be the final chapter of the 'Mission Impossible' franchise. And where better to complete the franchise than at the end of the Earth: Norway's Arctic region? The film will also feature more southerly, easily-accessible regions of Norway, like the fjords of Aurland. Aurland is already one of the top holiday destinations for Norwegians and is accessible by cruise, car, or train, making it a convenient option for foreign visitors, too. Visitors to Britain's official tourism site will already find an entire page dedicated to advertising the pastoral settings of last year's hit 'Wicked.' Since its release in fall 2024, some 40 million Americans have seen the film in theaters. This fall, 'Wicked: For Good' will bring Oz to life using many of the same English countryside vistas from the first film, along with landscapes from Egypt's White Desert National Park. Starring Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, and Michelle Yeoh, seeing the whimsical appeal of rural Britain and mysteries of Egypt brought to life on the big screen could well trigger a desire to take a nomadic journey through the desert or frolic in the English countryside this year or next. The fall 2024 release from the Paddington franchise earned more than $43.5 million at the American box office. While the film relies heavily on computer-generated imagery for its main character, it also features real Peruvian sites and traditional Peruvian woven art. Like the British tourism ministry, the Peruvian tourism commission has carefully sought to link the film to its setting by offering background on the scenes of the film via the web. Scotland is no stranger to set-jetting. Since the release of 'Braveheart,' the small Scottish town of Stirling, home to the National Wallace Monument, has seen more than $33 million in tourism revenue. Now, as renowned director Guillermo del Toro prepares to release his adaptation of 'Frankenstein,' a new wave of viewers may be motivated by the ephemeral beauty of craggy mountains and deep blue lochs to make the journey. Set jetting is a novel way to use up vacation days, but it can make for a truly memorable trip by taking film and TV fans off the beaten path. It could spark a desire to visit somewhere that previously wasn't on the radar—like a desert in Egypt or the Arctic expanse of Norway—taking viewers on a true journey of discovery. For destinations that manage to score a starring role on the big screen, there's a clear opportunity to capitalize. However, a prolonged boost in tourist numbers isn't a given, as destinations like Australia have found. The places successful in making their destinations a long-term success fully embrace their links with the TV show or movie that put them in the spotlight. As streaming platforms continue to invest in global content, don't be surprised if your next trip is inspired by the next 'White Lotus.' Wherever the screen leads, set-jetters follow. This story was produced by DataPulse Research and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
WB confirms 2027 release for ‘The Hunt for Gollum'
Warner Bros has officially announced the release date for its upcoming 'Lord of the Rings' spinoff film, 'The Hunt for Gollum'. The much-anticipated prequel is scheduled to hit cinemas on December 17, 2027. Set before the events of Peter Jackson's acclaimed 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy, the film is based on the appendices written by J.R.R. Tolkien and follows Aragorn's secret mission, commissioned by Gandalf the Grey, to track and capture Gollum, who is in possession of the One Ring. Andy Serkis is confirmed to reprise his iconic role as Gollum and is also rumoured to direct the project. While Ian McKellen is speculated to return as Gandalf, there has been no official confirmation regarding Viggo Mortensen's involvement as Aragorn. The announcement comes amid a mixed legacy of 'Lord of the Rings' spinoffs. Peter Jackson's 'Hobbit trilogy', though initially promising, was criticised for being unnecessarily stretched. More recently, Amazon's 'The Rings of Power' series drew a lukewarm response, with early intrigue giving way to audience disappointment. With the franchise's track record in recent years, fans are approaching 'The Hunt for Gollum' with cautious optimism. Whether this latest foray into Middle-earth will recapture the magic of the original films remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Tolkien enthusiasts will be watching closely as Middle-earth returns to the big screen in 2027.
See - Sada Elbalad
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Warner Bros. Sets Release Dates for "Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum", New "Evil Dead" Movie
Yara Sameh Gollum will return to the big screen in Christmas 2027. Warner Bros. has announced that Andy Serkis' 'The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum' will open in theaters December 17, 2027. The studio has also dated the next 'Evil Dead' movie, starring Souheila Yacoub, for July 24, 2026, and M. Night Shyamalan's 'Remain' for October 23, 2026. Jake Gyllenhaal, Phoebe Dynevor, and Ashley Walters star in Shyamalan's latest project. The release date for 'The Hunt for Gollum' is hardly a surprise given all six movies in Peter Jackson's 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' film trilogies opened in December ahead of the Christmas holiday. Each trilogy powered to $2.9 billion at the worldwide box office. Warner Bros. first announced 'The Hunt for Gollum' last summer and said it would be ready for theaters in 2026. The film has been delayed a year. Serkis is directing the tentpole and once again starring in the title role, which he's been playing via motion capture since 2002's 'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.' Serkis' directorial efforts include 'Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle' and 'Venom: Let There Be Carnage.' Original 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy filmmaker Peter Jackson and his partners Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens are producing the new movie. Warner Bros. stressed when announcing 'Gollum' that the trio 'will be involved every step of the way.' Boyens told Empire magazine that 'The Hunt for Gollum' is 'quite an intense story' that 'falls after the birthday party of Bilbo and before the Mines of Moria. It's a specific chunk of incredible untold story, told through the perspective of this incredible creature.' Original 'Rings' cast members like Ian McKellen (Gandalf), Orlando Bloom (Legolas) and Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn) have all expressed interest in returning for the new film should the story make sense for their characters to appear, although no additional casting has been confirmed. 'The Lord of the Rings' franchise was last in theaters in December 2024 with the release of the anime movie 'The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.' 'Gollum' will be the first live-action 'Rings' movie since 2014's 'The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.' read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
John Rhys-Davies to Star in Horror Creature Feature ‘Bone Keeper,' With REinvent Handling World Sales (EXCLUSIVE)
International sales agency REinvent has boarded horror creature feature 'Bone Keeper,' starring John Rhys-Davies, who is best known for portraying Gimli in 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy and Sallah in the 'Indiana Jones' franchise. A promo will be shown to buyers in Cannes. The film is directed and produced by Howard J. Ford for Latitude Films. The cast also features Sarah Alexandra Marks, Louis James and Tiffany Hannam-Daniels. It is expected to be delivered in the fall this year. More from Variety Mads Mikkelsen Joins Voice Cast of 'Snow Queen' Inspired Animated Adventure 'North' (EXCLUSIVE) Carlos Rincon to Launch Prestige International Pictures at Cannes, Partnering With Vital Pictures Variety's International Achievement in Film Honoree Tarak Ben Ammar Soars With Italy's Eagle Pictures Pacts and Local Hits Like 'Boy With Pink Trousers' 'Bone Keeper' follows six young friends, who enter a remote cave system to investigate the disappearance of several missing persons, only to find themselves being gradually hunted by a mysterious creature that may have inhabited the cave for thousands of years. The mystery started with a fireball crashing into a remote woodland, awakening a terrifying creature hidden in the depths. Fast forward to 1976, James Wheeler enters a cave determined to uncover the truth – and is never seen again. All that's found is a single frame of Super 8 film, capturing the silhouette of a creature. In the present day, Wheeler's granddaughter, along with five explorers, sets out to investigate the legend of the 'Bone Keeper.' But as they venture deeper, they realize they are being hunted and the line between hunter and prey begins to blur. Will they uncover the truth and escape the creature – or become the next missing souls? Ford said: 'I've always been intrigued with caves and caverns and imagined if something lurked down there in the depths, so I am very excited to be making a creature-feature and reuniting with the REinvent team and not least working with the legendary Mr. John Rhys-Davies, who has been an absolute blast.' The film's VFX supervisor is Giordano Aita. Best of Variety Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
Qatar Tribune
05-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Trump vows 100% tariff on foreign movies to save ‘dying' Hollywood
Agencies President Donald Trump is opening a new salvo in his tariff war, as he threatened on Sunday to impose a 100% tariff on films made outside the U.S., saying the American movie industry was dying a 'very fast death' due to the incentives that other countries were offering to lure filmmakers. 'This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat. It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda!' Trump said in a post on his Truth Social. He said he was authorizing the relevant government agencies, such as the Department of Commerce, to immediately begin the process of imposing a 100% tariff 'on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands.' 'The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death,' he wrote, complaining that other countries 'are offering all sorts of incentives to draw' filmmakers and studios away from the U.S. He added: ''We want movies made in America, again!' Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on the social media platform X: 'We're on it.' Neither Trump nor Lutnick provided any details on how the tariffs would be implemented. It was unclear if the tariffs would apply to movies on streaming services as well as those shown in theaters, or if they would be calculated based on production costs or box office revenue. Hollywood executives were trying to sort out details on Sunday night. It's common for both large and smaller films to include production both in the U.S. and other countries. Big-budget movies like the upcoming 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,' for instance, are shot around the world. All major media companies, including Walt Disney, Netflix and Universal Pictures, film overseas in countries such as Canada and Britain. On Monday, leaders in Australia and New Zealand responded to Trump's tariff announcement by saying they would advocate for their local industries. Some Marvel superhero movies have been filmed in Australia, while New Zealand was the backdrop for 'The Lord of the Rings' films. Incentive programs for years have influenced where movies are shot, increasingly driving film production out of California and to other states and countries with favorable tax incentives, like Canada and the United Kingdom. Yet tariffs are designed to lead consumers toward American products. And in movie theaters, American-produced movies overwhelming dominate the domestic marketplace. China has ramped up its domestic movie production, culminating in the animated blockbuster 'Ne Zha 2' grossing more than $2 billion this year. But even then, its sales came almost entirely from mainland China. In North America, it earned just $20.9 million. The MPA's data shows how much Hollywood exports have dominated cinemas. According to the MPA, the American movies produced $22.6 billion in exports and $15.3 billion in trade surplus in 2023. Trump has made good on the 'tariff man' label he gave himself years ago, slapping new taxes on goods made in countries around the globe. That includes a 145% tariff on Chinese goods and a 10% baseline tariff on goods from other countries, with even higher levies threatened. By unilaterally imposing tariffs, Trump has exerted extraordinary influence over the flow of commerce, creating political risks and pulling the market in different directions. There are tariffs on autos, steel and aluminum, with more imports, including pharmaceutical drugs, set to be subject to new tariffs in the weeks ahead. Trump has long voiced concern about movie production moving overseas. Shortly before he took office, he announced that he had tapped actors Mel Gibson, Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone to serve as 'special ambassadors' to Hollywood to bring it 'Back, bigger, better, and stronger than ever before!' U.S. film and television production has been hampered in recent years, with setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hollywood guild strikes of 2023 and the recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Overall production in the U.S. was down 26% last year compared with 2021, according to data from ProdPro, which tracks production. The group's annual survey of executives, which asked about preferred filming locations, found no location in the U.S. made the top five, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Toronto, the U.K., Vancouver, Central Europe and Australia came out on top, with California placing sixth, Georgia seventh, New Jersey eighth and New York ninth. The problem is especially acute in California. In the greater Los Angeles area, production last year was down 5.6% from 2023, according to FilmLA, second only to 2020, during the peak of the pandemic. Last October, Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed expanding California's Film & Television Tax Credit program to $750 million annually, up from $330 million. Other U.S. cities like Atlanta, New York, Chicago and San Francisco have also used aggressive tax incentives to lure film and TV productions. Those programs can take the form of cash grants, as in Texas, or tax credits, which Georgia and New Mexico offer. In 2023, about half of the spending by U.S. producers on movie and TV projects with budgets of more than $40 million went outside the U.S., according to research firm ProdPro. Film and television production has fallen by nearly 40% over the last decade in Hollywood's home city of Los Angeles, according to FilmLA. 'Other nations have been stealing the movie-making capabilities from the United States,' Trump told reporters at the White House on Sunday night after returning from a weekend in Florida. 'If they're not willing to make a movie inside the United States, we should have a tariff on movies that come in.' Former senior Commerce official William Reinsch, a senior fellow with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said retaliation against Trump's film tariffs would be devastating. 'The retaliation will kill our industry. We have a lot more to lose than to gain,' he said.
