With inbound tourists’ spending GBP 892.6 million in film-related screen tourism in 2019 and to boost the figures further, VisitBritain has signed an agreement with the British Film Commission to bolster joint aims of amplifying economic growth.

The British Film Commission and VisitBritain have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at London to boost screen tourism throughout the United Kingdom.

In a press statement, the national tourism board said its MoU will strengthen mutual aims of boosting economic growth, while supplementing the British Film Commission’s role in attracting inward investment. 

VisitBritain says that set-jetting is a booming trend in travel. According to Expedia Group, more than half of international travellers said TV shows and films inspire their travel plans. Inbound tourists spent an estimated GBP 892.6 million in film-related screen tourism in the UK in 2019 alone according to the British Film Institute (BFI), making screen tourism an increasingly valuable part of the UK’s global tourism offer.

The UK film and TV industry continues to attract major international productions with its first-class studios, cutting-edge VFX facilities, unique locations and a talented crew base. The statement adds that as the host to many world-renowned film and TV franchises, the UK has earned billions of pounds to its economy. 

BFI reports a combined spend by film and high-end television production during 2022 reached GBP 6.27 billion, some of them being the movies and series like Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2, Lift, Black Cake, Napoleon, The Crown Season 6, and more.

The statement says that the UK’s sustained capacity to host major film and TV productions bolsters the range and depth of screen related visitor experiences and locations across the nations and regions, complementing VisitBritain’s support of the visitor economy. 

“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. 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,” says VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates.

“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. 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. I look forward to working closely with VisitBritain to spotlight the exceptional range of our film and TV industry, boosting local economies throughout the UK in the process,’’ says Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of the British Film Commission.