Film-Induced Tourism: Investigating the Role of Destination Management Organizations in Egypt

Abstract

The close relationship between film and tourism industry created a niche tourism trend; film-induced tourism. Destination management organizations (DMOs) are key stakeholders for generating film-induced tourism. The main aim of this study is to explore the current film-induced marketing activities undertaken by DMOs in Egypt. The literature review indicated that DMOs can adopt multiple marketing activities to promote film-induced tourism for their destinations. However, they face challenges when achieving their activities. Based on a purposive sample, the primary data were collected by using semi-structured face to face interviews with key experts in the Egyptian DMOs. The key findings of the practical study revealed that DMOs did not introduce any successful or innovative activities to develop film-induced tourism except producing short publicity and documentary films. The study also provides DMOs with important insights that could aid in encouraging film-induced tourism.

Who takes part in film tourism? The analysis of determinants of visiting film locations

“…Furthermore, several authors present empirical evidence that local governments or DMOs often do not try to utilize the potential of film tourism, or fail in their efforts to do so (Hudson & Ritchie, 2006). Some refuse to invest in the promotion of film networks, and focus on more traditional activities, as for example 3 S (Abdulsamie, 2016), or devote very little effort to maximizing the impacts of film production on the destination (Hudson & Ritchie, 2006).…”

“…The interest in film tourism has also been triggered by the supply side due to films attracting a huge number of visitors to their destinations (Riley & Van Doren, 1992). The available sources of literature examine film tourism mainly from the perspective of its economic and multiplier effects on local economy (Tooke & Baker, 1996), perspective of destination promotion (Abdulsamie, 2016) and branding (Hudson & Ritchie, 2006), the impact of film tourism on the image of the destination (Beeton, 2005), tourists' motivation (Oviedo‐García et al, 2016), tourists' experiences (Carl et al, 2007), or authenticity (Tzanelli, 2006). Our study contributes the knowledge on tourist behavior in the context of film tourism but takes a different direction from motivational studies.…”