What is Film Tourism?
Have you ever sat down to watch your favourite TV show or movie and thought…man, I’d LOVE to go there? I know every time I rewatch the Harry Potter movies, I think about how much I want to see the iconic train going over the bridge in real life (BTW, it’s the Glenfinnan Viaduct right here in Scotland, in case you have the same idea). If you’re the kind of person who has either thought about or actually planned a trip to your favourite on-screen destination, you might be a film tourist.
If you’re not familiar with the idea, film tourism is a form of travel to movie or TV show locations to see and experience the filming sites. It goes by a million different names —like set jetting, movie tourism, or screen tourism —but they all mean the same thing.
Though film tourism has existed for a long time, a recent Forbes article cited it as experiencing a surge in popularity. Especially in 2025, being in a movie or TV show is one of the best ways to give a location international exposure. Think about the gorgeous resorts in The White Lotus, for example. After exposing these beautiful locations in the most idealised way, the filming destinations become a sort of ‘property porn’ for audiences, which encourages tourists to book their own vacation at these resorts. Audiences seeking these perfect, Instagram-worthy destinations have created what BBC Travel calls ‘The White Lotus effect’: a term to describe the significant increases in online interest and booking rates that all of the resorts and destinations related to The White Lotus have been experiencing.
The Fun of Film Tourism
Over reading week, I made a The Sound of Music-inspired pilgrimage to Salzburg, Austria. Now, I didn’t just go for the movie; I’ve always wanted to see Austria and the Alps, and I explored non-movie locations with my friend as well. But when in Salzburg, right?
I pulled up a tourist website’s list of filming locations and, on our first morning, my friend and I hit the ground running. We visited the Nonnberg Abbey and heard the cloistered nuns sing their daily Vespers, the Mozart Bridge, Residenz Platz, the Pferdeschwemme (the horse pond seen in the musical number for My Favourite Things — try and say that five times fast), and the Mirabell Gardens.
All of these were beautiful and magical, and I couldn’t stop making remarks about how I couldn’t believe Julie Andrews once stood where we did. Honestly, it felt even more magical than it seemed in the movie because of the bright autumnal foliage everywhere, especially on the surrounding mountains. Yet all of these specific locations are either publicly accessible or part of the city of Salzburg, places people pass by every day on their way to work or school.
The simplicity of accessing all these film locations made me overconfident, so when my friend and I finished our hike to the Schloss Leopolskron and its lake (which they used as the back of the VonTrapp house in the film, where you see the iconic lake and gates), we were shocked to see the Palace had been turned into a hotel with closed property gates. The gates held signs from the hotel, disparaging tourists and reminding them that the hotel grounds are private property.
Not wanting to turn back at this point, my friend and I deliberated. She pointed out that the gates weren’t locked, so we decided to scurry onto the property, take a quick photo of the iconic lake gates, then leave. I think we were on the property for less than four minutes. I have no regrets about deciding to go take those photos, since I knew we would be unobtrusive, but I’m still aware we had to trespass to get them. I would recommend you go with a tour group that has permission instead, or quickly ask the hotel reception, as trespassing is not a good thing!
To Go or Not to Go?
The biggest critique of film tourism is that iconic on-screen destinations are often part of private property. When movies or TV shows scout locations for filming, they get special permissions to film anywhere, including public property. Yet, many tourists don’t know this, and whether they know it or not, they trespass to get the photos they want. This has become problematic for many people.
In some cases, the concern is directed towards disruptive or careless tourists. The owner of Carrie Bradshaw’s iconic brownstone apartment from Sex and the City has lobbied the city for permission to install a gate at the top of their stairs with private property signs. He said he has no problem with people taking photos of the house, though many tourists have climbed their stairs or touched their door and windows.
Residents of Notting Hill have a similar issue, with tourists apparently filming TikToks on their doorsteps because of the iconic romcom. According to an article by Rachel Johnson, a Notting Hill native, many residents have resorted to painting their homes black to deter tourists. Even the iconic glass gazebo from The Sound of Music was moved from its original location at Schloss Leopoldskron, so the public could see it and stop trespassing.
So is it worth it to intrude on private property for the sake of the Instagram photo? I’d say definitely follow the rules a property has posted. I think if you’re planning to be non-disruptive (AKA, get the picture and go) to the property of a business or hotel, it’s fine, but ensure you ask first. Being quick and respectful towards the people who live and work in the area will get you most of the places you want to go, anyway. However, when it comes to someone’s actual residence, I think you should at most get a photo from afar or always ask before.
It’s a situation St Andreans can resonate with. How many tourists have you spotted taking photos of Sallies or Mcintosh? I know I’ve seen tourists try to get into these residence halls, especially Sallies, because of their former royal residents. That makes me feel uncomfortable, and I’m sure you do too. Instead of trying to take photos on someone’s front step, try finding a new location, because film tourism can take you to beautiful, undiscovered locations, too.