Netflix rom-coms may lead to tourism boost
SCREEN tourism in Scotland is set to face a boost as a selection of festive feel-good films are released on Netflix this month. Romantic comedies A Castle for Christmas, The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star and Falling for Figaro, were all filmed across the country in Glasgow, Argyll, the Highlands and Lothians.
With the rise of streaming services and more availability to watch Scottish-set films for years after their release, it is hoped screen tourism will boost Scottish tourism and attract more visitors.
It is currently estimated around one in five visitors to Scotland are influenced to visit due to on-screen locations.
Jenni Steele, film and creative industries manager at VisitScotland, said: “Scotland is full of places for a romantic, winter escape, and this festive season, film fans will have the chance to enjoy some on-screen romantic escapes with the release of a host of feel-good movies shot in Scotland.
“We know films and television shows influence visitors in choosing their destination and so the more on-screen appearances there are of our stunning landscapes and heritage, the more opportunities they offer for inspiration.”
Falling for Figaro, which was filmed prior to the first lockdown, stars Joanna Lumley as an opera-diva-turned-singing-teacher and was filmed in Glasgow, Luss and Glencoe.
The other two films meanwhile were both shot in Scotland during the pandemic.
A Castle for Christmas, which stars Brooke Shields as an author and Cary Elwes as a Scottish duke, was filmed near Edinburgh, in East Lothian and South Queensferry.
The Princess Switch 3 marked a return to Scotland for its star Vanessa Hudgens after she filmed the second part in the series, Switched Again, here early last year.
It was shot in West Lothian and Midlothian.
Rosie Ellison, of the City of Edinburgh Council’s film office Film Edinburgh, said: “A Castle for Christmas was the first major drama to get back up and running in Scotland following the initial lockdown, working under challenging conditions to ensure they complied with the strict Covid-19 filming guidelines.
“Filming has made an important contribution towards the city’s post-pandemic recovery and, through our early adoption of Covid-19 location filming protocols, we are proud to have been able to attract and support filming in the region.”