Oscar film locations prove to be real winners

While actors, directors and producers celebrate the results of Sunday’s 81st Oscar ceremony, it’s the film locations which are the real winners, according to Skyscanner. The company’s search data shows a 100% rise in flight searches to India following the release of Slumdog Millionaire, and following the release of Baz Luhrmann’s epic Australia film, flight searches to the land Down Under have also risen substantially since the end of 2008.

Rob Innes, head of marketing for Skyscanner commented on the ‘Film Factor’ and the huge benefits it can bring for the tourist industry:

“Skyscanner’s data shows that countries can expect to see a significant boost to tourism when they are featured in a film. Movies are effectively one giant advert for a country.

"They capture our imagination in a far more powerful way than a guidebook or magazine article can, and inspire people to visit. Just look at what happened to tourism in New Zealand after the Lord of the Rings films, it’s a prime example. Tourist numbers grew around 5% in each of the years those films were released.”

Slumdog Millionaire, which has already won 7 BAFTAs, 4 Golden Globes and has been nominated for 10 Oscars, is giving India’s tourist trade a particularly timely boost. Although the Indian sub-continent has long been a popular pilgrimage for Western backpackers, the Mumbai attacks last year projected a less positive image of the country as a tourist destination, but Slumdog has helped put it back on track as a great place to visit.

Moviegoer Jane Leyton from Edinburgh commented: “Watching Slumdog Millionaire made me want to visit India – it just looked so exotic.”

As well as India and Australia, other Oscar nominated film locations are also expected to benefit from the ‘Film Factor’, including Bruges, Belgium – location for In Bruges, starring Colin Farrell, and Barcelona – location for Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

5 Oscars Nominated Films that are Boosting ‘Set-Jetter’ Tourism

Slumdog Millionaire (India) – the film portrays the harsh realities of life in a Mumbai slum, but also explores the exotic and intoxicating landscapes of India as we adventure with Jamal and his brother as they journey across both beautiful and inhospitable parts of the Indian sub-continent.

Australia (Australia) – the release of this epic film which features rich cinematography can only add to its attraction, which has long been a favourite of British travellers both young and old. Tourism Australia has launched a $26 Million international advertising campaign following the film’s release, highlighting the tranquil wilderness of Western Australia and encouraging tourists to visit.

In Bruges (Bruges) – set in what’s regarded as the most well-preserved medieval city in the whole of Belgium, the misadventures of two hit men getting to grips with local sites and customs showcases this delightful city, which is likely to see a valuable rise in tourist numbers this year due to the film.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Barcelona) – set in and around Barcelona, the film tells the tale of a love triangle and plays heavily on the aesthetics and vibrancy of the Spanish city, which will no doubt serve to boost interest in what is already a very popular tourist destination.

Milk (San Francisco) – a film with serious political undertones, Milk tells the story of the battle for gay rights in 1970s San Francisco, and is likely to further raise the profile of what is now considered one of the most gay-friendly cities on earth.