Written by Kianna Best on Dec 6, 2023. Posted in Awards and Festivals

British Film Commission and VisitBritain sign memorandum of understanding at FOCUS 2023

Today at FOCUS London, the British Film Commission and VisitBritain have signed a memorandum of Understanding outlining intentions of boosting screen tourism throughout the UK. Working hand in hand with each other the tourism and screen sector find benefit in the influx of international visitors through production and recreational travel.

VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates said: “VisitBritain’s research shows that films and TV are powerful motivators for travel. With almost a third of potential visitors to Britain keen to visit locations used in filming and seen-on-screen, film tourism is a valuable and growing part of our global tourism offer. We are delighted to partner with the British Film Commission to harness this growth, working together to put Britain’s screen tourism offer centre stage alongside our international GREAT Britain campaigns.”

Image courtesy of the British Film Commission

A prominent travel trend, set-jetting has accounted for more than half of international travels according to Expedia Group, influenced by audience’s favourite tv shows and films. In 2019, the UK saw an estimated spend of GBP 892.6 million in film related travel, solidifying the relationship between the screen and tourism industry. As a result, investment into UK based production in film and high end TV reached a high of GBP 6.27 billion in 2022 according to results through the BFI’s Research and Statistics Unit.

“Much as the UK’s history, dynamism and unique cultural mix have inspired spellbinding films and TV shows, so too have these productions led visitors from all over the world to spend time in the UK,” commented Adrian Wooton OBE, chief executive of the British Film Commission. “The UK’s film and TV industry has consistently attracted the world’s largest productions with our diverse range of filming locations and talented crew base. From Bridgerton and All Creatures Great and Small to Harry Potter and Rye Lane, the UK is home to countless, iconic film and TV franchises and screen tourism provides a unique and exciting opportunity to showcase welcoming destinations throughout the UK’s nations and regions.”

With shows such as Bridgerton and Sex Education drawing viewers in, and initiatives such as Netflix in Your Neighbourhood, filming locations have never been easier to find. Visitors aged 18-24 increased by more than 3400% according to Castle Howard in North Yorkshire, due to its feature in Bridgerton, and the West Midlands Growth Company saw Birmingham’s visitor numbers increase between 2013 and 2018 by 26% with the release of Peaky Blinders. With iconic locations, the influx of film production, and it spread across the identifiable landscapes across the UK benefit the cross industry partnership.

“Putting the spotlight on film-and-TV-inspired experiences you can only have in Britain encourages more visitors to come and explore our amazing destinations for themselves, driving immediacy to visit and boosting tourism across the nations and regions, benefitting local economies,” Yates concluded.