SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
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Introduced by Senator Poe
Explanatory Note
Film tourism is defined as "tourist visits to a destination or attraction as a result of the 
destination’s being featured on television, video or the cinema screen." It is a growing worldwide 
phenomenon, fueled by both the growth of the, entertainment industry and the increase in 
international travel.
Several countries have already capitalized on the spiraling phenomenon of film tourism. 
South Korea, Turkey, Thailand, the United States of America, United Kingdom and New 
Zealand are some examples. Their governments, airline companies and tourism organizations 
have initiated measures to promote famous and even previously untapped destinations where the 
film was set as tourist attractions.
In their research entitled "Promoting Destinations via Film Tourism: An Empirical 
Identification of Supporting Marketing Initiatives" published in May 2006 in the Journal of 
Travel Research, Simon Hudson and J.R. Brent Ritchie cited increased tourist arrivals in 
destinations where famous films took place. As cited, the Wallace Monument in Scotland saw a- 
300% increase in visitors a year after the movie "Braveheart" was filmed which starred Mel 
Gibson in 1995. "The Lord of the Rings" franchise, filmed in New Zealand, also saw a steady 
increase of 10% in tourist arrivals from 1998-2003 from United Kingdom alone.
The following information are significant (the list of film titles, the film locations and the 
boost in tourism percentage):
• "Steel Magnolias" Louisiana; 48% increase year after release
• "Harry Potter" Various locations in U.K.; All locations saw an increase of 50% or more
• "Mission: Impossible 2" National Parks in Sydney; 200% increase in 2000
• "Last of the Mohicans" Chimney Rock Park, North Carolina; 25% increase year after release
• "The Fugitive Dillsboro" North Carolina; 11 % increase year after release
• "Little Women Orchard House" Concord, Massachusetts; 65% increase year after release
• "Bull Durham" North Carolina; 25% increase in attendance year after release
• "The Beach" Thailand; 22% increase in youth market in 2000
• In particular, a previously unknown Koh Phi Phi in Thailand where "The Beach" was shot, 
instantly gained life and saw a surge in domestic tourism after the film.
However, very little effort—if none at all—has been done to promote film tourism in the 
Philippines. This is unfortunate, considering that This is unfortunate, considering that several 
films have been set in the Philippines, such as Apocalypse Now (1979); The Year of Living 
Dangerously (1982); Platoon (1986); and Born on the Fourth of July (1989). The fourth season 
of The Bourne Legacy was filmed in the Philippines in 2012. Finally, several seasons of the 
Survivor TV series have been filmed in the Caramoan islands in Camarines Sur.
Film tourism can boost our country’s tourism industry. This is important because our 
tourism industry can promote broad based inclusive growth due to its strong inter-connections