As it starts to get colder and colder, many of us will already be having visions of warm weather, sunny beaches and lazy days on a summer break. (Featured image by Wolf Gang) However, choosing where to go on holiday can be quite a challenge at times. Do you go with a city break or opt to spend the week on a beach? Would you prefer an active holiday over a week of pampering? We all have our own criteria for a holiday, but it seems that we may be influenced by more than just temperatures and weather. Research has found that a whopping 40 million tourists from around the world chose their holiday destination based on films during 2012. The findings come from global research firm TCI Research, which has revealed that a part in a big-budget movie can do wonders for a destination’s tourist numbers. “Supporting film shooting in a destination can offer higher ROI [rates of interest] than traditional communication campaigns and may offer an indirect yet efficient promotional media for destinations as part of their marketing mix,” said Olivier Henry-Biabaud, CEO of TCI Research. It was found that cities are usually the biggest winners from a big-screen appearance, especially when it comes to attracting first time visitors and younger holidaymakers. 2012 was a huge year for film, as has been shown in the BAFTA and Oscar nominations this week, so what are some of the destinations that could potentially see a surge in visitors this year?
India Ang Lee’s Life of Pi was one of the cinematic delights of last year, so Pondicherry in India – one of the film’s few real-life locations – can expect a visitor boost in the year ahead. The coastal city in south India is where Pi – the story’s protagonist – grows up and director Lee was insistent on the idea of filming on-location. A vibrant and bustling city, Pondicherry has plenty of green space to let your imagination run away with you. Read our blog: Life of Pi locations in Pondicherry, India Read our excellent Top 10: Top ten film locations around the world
