Project Description
The present study offers an investigation into expanded film tourist destinations and the impacts of socio-cultural and environmental aspects on the local community and environment. The impacts on the local community and local environment of a film tourist destination are not researched enough. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to fill this gap. The present study aimed to research the socio-cultural and environmental impacts on a film tourist destination by selecting the case of Alnwick Castle, mostly known for the first two Harry Potter films. The research design of the case study consisted of seven semi-structured interviews with residents and employees of businesses located in the town of Alnwick. The interviews were analysed by open inductive and deductive coding. The present study was further aided by observations in Alnwick and document analysis. Based on the findings three main themes were found in the sociocultural impacts, namely economic opportunities, seasonality, and culture and heritage. In the environmental impacts, three main themes were found: parking, roads, and growth of the town Alnwick. It can be concluded that film tourism impacts the expanded tourist destination primarily positively, especially regarding economic benefits. However, film tourism can also have some negative impacts, such as authenticity loss that must be kept in check by tourism planning. Some future research suggestions include further investigations with the help of a multiple case study, as well as research into the difference of impact between new and expanded film tourist destinations.
Author: J. Kok (2022)
