Issues and Controversies in Film Induced Tourism - Essay Example

? Film-induced Tourism Film-induced Tourism Film induced tourism provides a motivationaland inspiring attributes in individuals to be attracted towards a destination which pertains through inducing an educational or entertaining film festival. The visitation of tourists may also increase if there is a shooting of a film in an area where they can travel and see the location, which is projected by the filmmakers. The tourism sector provides such attractions through screening of popular films and television series to target large audiences and enthusiastic fans, which have a keen interest in films (Gjorgievski & Trpkova, 2012). In this report, the main focus will be on a case study, “Sea Change in Barwon Heads.” Barwon heads is a small suburb where a popular television series, “Sea Change” was filmed. The issues and controversies at Barwon Heads will be discussed associated with this television series, which induced tourism in that area. Moreover, an analysis of these issues on hospitality and tourism sector will be discussed along with its implication on society in the 21st century (Beeton, 2001). An overview: Issues and Controversies in Film Induced Tourism Most of the people who have an interest in films festival visit different countries to gain experience of their culture and values that are being depicted through these films. The main focus of film induced tourist festival is to be successful in promoting good quality films, which can convert large audiences, who come to see these movies, into tourists (Claudia-Elena & Puiu, 2011). There can be many issues that the tourist sector may have while promoting their films like; Finding which films or television series that can promote tourist activities and gather large audiences (Claudia-Elena & Puiu, 2011). If the tourist activity will subside once the film has reached its popularity level. If tourists will be attracted towards a site where there are shooting locations. Managing tourism during screening to encourage more tourists (Claudia-Elena & Puiu, 2011). How a tourist sector and film industry can work together to promote tourism. Highlighting and understanding the significance of tourism and film industry on the economy of a country can resolve these issues. There is also a need to understand how tourism has its effect on filming and vice versa. By studying these areas, tourism can be marketed effectively. Case Study: How film induced tourism has an impact on attitudes of a community Mostly People are inclined towards entertainment and celebrities and their perceptions are linked with these figures of the film industry. When the tourist sector hosts a film it has socio-cultural effects on the people, which can be seen in changing perceptions of visitors about the destination. These perceptions are changing due to interaction among the hosts and guests while understanding the differences in their culture (Busby & Klug, 2001). However, there are changes in the behavior of the hosts and guests, which can have an impact on the community. The case of Australian television Series; Sea Change provides an understanding on the issues of physical changes that took place at the Victorian coastal village of Barwon Heads where this film was shooting. Moreover, the impact of this television series on residents and tourism sector will be discussed (Coast, 2013). Australian Television Series: Sea Change When the television series “Sea Change” was screened, the show gained immense popularity (SeaChange, 2010), and there was increased visitation at Barwon Heads, where the series was being filmed (Beeton, 2001). There were many studies through surveys and interviews that were conducted that showed the effects of these visitations on local residents. These studies were drawn after the screening finished and showed the issues and attitudes of local people and visitors at Barwon Heads. The opinions, which were generated, presented the impacts of “Sea Change” in the town, success of this television series and its implication on the tourism industry (Beeton, 2001). Controversies and Issues: In the case of Barwon Heads, the following controversies and changing perceptions of the local resident and visitors were witnessed, It was seen during filming of “Sea Change” there was an increased number of visitors and tourist activities, but the residents who were living in that area had a strong holding over the ownership of that area which refrained the tourists to visit the locality without permission. The responses of the surveys and interviews conducted in 2001 also showed that tourist activities had a profound impact on the town as they had no interest over the future of that town and there was disenfranchisement which resulted in negligence of the tourism sector (Beeton, 2001). The survey also indicated that even though there was increased number of visitors and good quality shops to cater their needs, but tourism was not promoted through effective medium that could reflect a positive impact on the economy. Some local residents felt that due to frequent visits of tourists the market prices of the commodities had increased. There was some turn around opinions as well, when few local residents regarded the physical changes in the locality negatively as being unattractive, but their opinions changed with time and later said that the changes were good to promote tourism in the area (Beeton, 2005). Major Changes at Barwon Heads Before the shooting of this series, Barwon Heads experienced a period of stagnation where most of businesses and services were shutting down. However, after Sea Change there was a drastic change and the physical nature of the town completely got transformed affecting the lives of local residents and on the tourism industry as well (Beeton, 2001). Impact of “Sea Change” on Hospitality at Barwon Heads There was increased number of cafes and restaurants, which opened due to frequent tourist visits (Fig 1). The shops, which were previously shut down, opened like a previously closed butcher shop turned into a surf shop (Beeton, 2005). However for other general services like banking industries and other market activities visitors and residents had to travel Ocean Grove, a neighboring town. In the beginning, the increased number of tourist activities caused conflicts among the local residents and visitors. At that time the local people felt very insecure as these visitors were continuously taking photographs of the location without consent or approval of the local authorities. Privacy Invasions According to a survey, in the beginning, such visitations caused a great deal of stress relating to insecurity in the area especially during the nighttime. For this reasons the local authority took measures to put notices which asked visitors to respect the privacy of the beach house residents (Fig 2). Fig 1 Closed Shops opened shortly after “The Sea Change” Success Fig 2 Banners outside Residents home Impact on the Tourism Industry To promote tourism the Barwon Head Park got modified. The Barwon Head Park had completely changed with features of leading actress “Laura’s Beach House’ and site of a residence of another leading actor, “Max” which provide an attraction to the tourists and visitors (Beeton, 2001). The changes, which have occurred in Barwon Heads due to the screening of “Sea Change”, has caused frequent visitation (Research, 2000). The screening of “Sea Change” has benefited Barwon Heads in terms of visitation and has increased the land prices of the area. The lighting arrangement, which is according to the tidal flows, provides a beautiful image, which is depicted in the series. The presence of such attractions has increased the number of visitors in the area (Beeton, 2005). The region is now recovering from economic crises. However, the changes in the attitude of the local residents show that more work needed to promote tourism. There is also a need to have a positive attitude as resentment towards the tourists may cause less visits. The main actors involved in the issue: It was seen through surveys that even though there were attractions, but there was no proper infrastructure in the tourist sector, which could lead tourism in a proper way through a proper marketing strategy. This is an important part of the tourism issue. In order to accommodate and manage the increased number of tourists the campsites were phased out so more space could be allocated for cottages where tourists could stay. It was also seen that families were relocated from prestigious sites to other places where they there is more affordability as the prices of rents have increased in that areas. However, another actor involved in the tourism issue was due to disenfranchisement. There are many issues in the tourism sector which caused hindrance in promoting quality life style to the residents as well as visitors (Beeton, 2005). Analysis and Implication of Case of Barwon Heads on 21st Century This case study provides how the film-induced tourism has its impact in small communities like Barwon Heads. Even though film-induced tourism has its significant place but there are still few negative impacts on the surrounding and on the people who live in that area. Some residents resist the changes that are brought by the film induced tourism and would rather move out of the locality as said by Mr Barlow who was in a marketing airline. According to him, due to tourism the small town has now become more polarized and turned into a big suburb, which does not have the same values. He said that the emphasis is on tourism and most of people are coming for that reason without having an interest in hosting the events (Johnston, 2012). There are other indicators also, according to another local resident who was a manager at the Barwon Coast Management Committee said that there is a need to promote tourism through “Sea Change”, but it all depends upon the residents of the locality, if they do not show hospitality towards visitors then tourism cannot be sustained (Beeton, 2005). Furthermore, there is a need of proper infra structure of the tourism sector, which needs to market their image across international borders. “Sea Change” can provide an image for tourism, but this is also short lived if the television series fails to capture the attention in the future. If there are reruns of the show this image of the “Sea Change” may still live in the minds of people for some time as the program has a good successful rate (SeaChange, 2010), but it may not remain the same after a long period of time as people’s interests in film induced tourism always grows with new attractions that come along in their lives. Tourism and “Sea Change” has a significant role as the Victoria’s famous Barwon Heads Bridge gained recognition during that time which is now being upgraded or a new bridge would be made in its place. Previously, it was planned that it would get demolished, but that area gained sympathies during the television series and tourism hence, the government planned to rebuild it (News, 2006). Currently, a new road bridge is being used which was built in the year 2010. The committee, which is responsible for governing the Barwon Coast, states that lot tourism is having adverse effects on wildlife and the area is over populated due to which there are issues in car parking and traffic control over the area. Hence, the lives of the residents who lived in Barwon Coast are affected badly (Johnston, 2012). Conclusion It has been seen that opinions of people are subjected to change and their perceptions regarding any situation can be altered over a period of time. Presently, tourists are looking for new experiences and new destinations. Hence, the tourism sector should work towards introducing such film-induced tourism, which takes measures to cater the needs of the tourists. For this reason, there is a need to have understanding, which is based on the benefits of films on tourism. While studying the case study of “Sea Change”, it can be concluded that such screenings and can promote tourism, but it is necessary that the tourist sector and the film industry work together so that the issues relating to host and guest relationships can be minimized. Moreover, the government and authorities need to instill programs through the tourism sector can be promoted through film industries without having a negative impact on society. List of References Beeton, S., 2001. Smiling for the Camera: the influence of film audiences on a budget tourism destination. Tourism, Culture and Communication, 3(1), pp.15-26. Beeton, S., 2005. Film-induced Tourism. New York: Channel View Publications. Busby, G. & Klug, J., 2001. Movie-induced tourism: the challenge of measurement and other issues. Journal of Vacation Marketing, 7(4), pp.316-32. Claudia-Elena & Puiu, N., 2011. How film and television programs can promote tourism and increase the competitiveness of tourist destinations. Cactus Tourism Journal, 2(2), pp.25-30. Coast, T.B., 2013. 'SeaChange' TV Series. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 18 December 2013]. Gjorgievski, M. & Trpkova, S., 2012. Movie induced tourism: A new tourism. UTMS Journal of Economics, 3(1), p.104. Johnston, C., 2012. The Victoria Age. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 18 December 2013]. News, A., 2006. 'Sea Change' bridge wins reprieve. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 18 December 2013]. Research, A.A., 2000. Sea Change, Summary o fSummary of Audiences. Melbourne: unpublished report ABC Audience Research Team. SeaChange, 2010. Tv.com. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 18 December 2013]. Read More