SCREEN TOURISM & MARKETING SERVICES
As Seen on Screen
Your village, harbour, high street or headland has been filmed. Now it's time to tell that story - and bring visitors, investment and pride to your community.
Screen Tourism (or Set Jetting!) is when audiences visit a real place because they've seen it on screen - turning your location's moment in the spotlight into long-lasting visitor interest and local spending.
7/10
70% of UK visitors have been to a famous film or TV location during their trip.
50%+
More than half of international travellers say TV shows and films inspire their travel plans
+26%
Increase in visitor numbers seen by Birmingham due to Peaky Blinders filming
SCREEN TOURISM EXPLAINED
When a location becomes a destination
Screen tourism is the phenomenon where a film or TV production brings visitors to the place it was filmed.
It’s one of the most powerful and cost-effective forms of destination and tourism marketing there is – because someone else (the production) has already done the creative work of making your location look extraordinary.
Viewers watch a drama, a documentary or a feature film. They see a coastline, a village square, a cave, a harbour wall. They want to be there.
They want to photograph it, stay nearby it, eat there, and tell their friends all about it.
This is a genuine, measurable economic opportunity – and Devon is exceptionally well placed to benefit from it.
But it doesn’t happen by itself.
Communities that capture long-term screen tourism interest are the ones that tell the story clearly, make the connection visible, and give visitors and fans something to come for.
SCREEN TOURISM CREATES REAL IMPACT
20yrs
Fans of the film have continued to visit Somerset's Hot Fuzz film locations for nearly 20 years since release.
120%
Alnwick Castle, Northumberland saw visitor numbers rise 120% after the Harry Potter films were released.
200
Around 200 people a week visit Oxford specifically to engage with Inspector Morse franchise filming locations.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Six ways your location and community can benefit
Whether your village or attraction appeared in a major feature film, or your harbour appeared in a documentary, there are practical steps any community can take to turn that exposure into lasting benefit.
1. Create a location trail
Work with Film Devon to create an As Seen on Screen walking, driving or cycling trail that connects filming locations with local hospitality and businesses.
2. Tell your story
Pitch stories to BBC News, ITV Westcountry and local titles around broadcast and release dates. “Our village starred in…” is a story that local media genuinely wants share. Not sure where to start? Film Devon can help with introductions and crafting the perfect pitch.
3. Create social media and website content
Share then-and-now comparisons, behind-the-scenes community memories, and location guides across your social channels. Just ensure you honour any confidentiality agreements and embargo dates. Film Devon can provide guidance on tagging productions, creating content and reaching new potential visitors around the world.
4. Develop experiences
Guided walks, photography spots, themed events, pop-up exhibitions – give visiting fans something more than just a location to photograph. Local businesses and community groups can collaborate on this.
5. Connect with tourism partners
If you need guidance, Film Devon can connect you with Visit Devon, VisitBritain and more, to access wider marketing campaigns, funding opportunities and national screen tourism initiatives.
6. Get listed with Film Devon
Ensure your location and its screen history is recorded in Film Devon’s Devon on Screen index – the permanent, searchable record of productions that have filmed in the county.
GETTING STARTED
How to make the most of your screen moments
Not sure where to begin? Here’s are 4 simple steps for any community, location or business that’s had a production film nearby.
STEP 1
Tell Film Devon about it
If a production has filmed in your area – even if it was years ago – let us know. We’ll make sure it’s recorded on Devon on
Screen index and flag any upcoming new broadcast dates or screen tourism opportunities worth acting on.
STEP 2
Find out what’s permitted
Some productions actively welcome community engagement during filming; others have restrictions until during or after broadcast. Film Devon can help you understand what’s possible and, where needed, liaise with the production’s PR team on your behalf.
STEP 3
Plan around the release date
The biggest initial screen tourism opportunity comes in the weeks around a first broadcast or release. A well-timed local story, trail launch or social campaign at that moment captures the surge of public interest at its peak.
STEP 4
Make it last
Screen tourism interest can endure for years after a production airs, especially for popular series. Permanent trail signage, evergreen web content and ongoing social presence ensure your community continues to benefit long after broadcast.
ALSO ON FILM DEVON
Are you a production filming in Devon?
If your production is filming or has filmed in Devon, our Publicity & Marketing Support section is for you –
with regional media connections, press partnership support and campaign tools to amplify your Devon story to the local community and beyond.