The most influential music videos for tourism

This is not my idea. This is Steve Keenan's idea, but I was the catalyst.

Steve saw my tweet yesterday about the video for a new single (EP) being released on 1st March. (which is great BTW, I luv it!)



It's called "Home" by a guy called Colin McLeod aka The Boy Who Trapped The Sun and it was shot on the Isle of Lewis (his home).

I was suggesting that perhaps VisitScotland should consider getting behind it because it would make an excellent, moody, destination promo video. If nothing else they could ask for a licence to use it.

Steve re-tweeted and asked for more suggestions of "Great film/music videos that promote destinations?"

He suggested another beach-based film... Jane Campion's The Piano (with Michael Nyman's music), though on reflection I'm not sure how big an impact it had on New Zealand's tourism market, especially compared to the wider ranging scenic influence of The Lord of the Rings.
... which made me think of yet another beach-based film, Ryan's Daughter, which I bet sent tourists in their droves to the Dingle peninsula!

North by NorthwestBut then there are loads of mainstream movies that have done wonders for destinations all over the globe. Think of all those films, not least Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, that have featured the treasury in Petra. It must now be one of the most popular tourist sites on the planet! Or what Lawrence of Arabia did for nearby Wadi Rum and Aqaba. Or what North by Northwest did for visitor numbers to Mount Rushmore. Or what The Sound of Music (ugh!) did for Austria.

And some tourist board's have been quick to exploit them. I seem to remember Missouri State Tourism even incorporated A river runs through it into their logo didn't they?

BUT...

Let's ignore all those examples of film location tourism - not least because, as regular as clockwork, we all get those press releases promotionally linking next month's movie to a particular location or activity (hehe, they had their work cut out with Avatar!) - and concentrate on music.

What music videos, or just songs, have caused people to want to visit a particular destination?

Did Enya's Orinoco Flow trigger a rush for Venezuelan visas? ;) lol, no. Just kidding!

...but I bet the US National Park Service will confirm that visitor numbers to Joshua Tree Nat Park blossomed after U2's visit!

I'm struggling to think of many examples. I know tourists still clog up the zebra crossing on Abbey Road and that there are tours of Bob Marley's Trench Town in Jamaica (No woman no cry), but what influential songs & music videos can you think of?

Post them here, or tweet them. How about #music4tourism as a tag?



Comments

Alastair said…
Duh! Just thought of an obvious one (slap forehead)! Empire state of mind http://bit.ly/9OVH2i
Alastair said…
"they had their work cut out with Avatar!"

Well, maybe not.

It turns out, according to this new article in The Times The Best Movie Location Holidays [where did you get that idea then, guys? ;) ] that the original footage, before digital enhancement, was shot in Hawaii.

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