North Yorkshire locations like Castle Howard are set to dominate 2025 tourism
- North Yorkshire launched the Starring North Yorkshire campaign to boost tourism in late 2023.
- The campaign promotes iconic filming locations in the area, including those from Bridgerton, Harry Potter, and Mission Impossible.
- This initiative aims to increase overnight visitors and benefit local businesses by attracting tourists interested in these cultural ties.
In North Yorkshire, England, a new tourism initiative called the Starring North Yorkshire campaign was officially launched in late 2023. The campaign aims to showcase the region's rich connections to television and film by promoting various filming locations within its borders. This initiative was inspired by the significant increase in visitors to sites previously featured in popular television series, such as Bridgerton and Brideshead Revisited. The campaign focuses on attracting tourists interested in exploring these iconic locations, including the heritage railway utilized in the filming of Mission Impossible 7, Castle Howard, and Malham Cove, which featured in Harry Potter films. The local tourism authorities believe that by highlighting these famous filming sites, they can draw more visitors to the region, which will ultimately benefit local businesses and the economy. The North Yorkshire Council member for tourism, Mark Crane, noted that many people are fascinated by the opportunity to visit real-life locations from popular culture. By leveraging these interests, they hope to increase the percentage of overnight visitors in North Yorkshire from 20 to 23% over the next decade. Plans for the new campaign include developing itineraries that will guide tourists to various film and TV locations, providing an engaging way for visitors to explore the region. As part of the initiative, they will also be launching a new website in Spring 2024, which will feature the detailed itinerary along with other exciting attractions in North Yorkshire. The team anticipates that this approach will draw in not just casual tourists but also dedicated fans of the series and films. The campaign reflects a significant trend in tourism where destinations leverage pop culture phenomena to attract visitors. Local businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and shops, are encouraged to participate and collaborate with the campaign to create a vibrant tourist experience. This move signifies an innovative approach to enhancing the county's appeal to a diverse audience while providing economic support during a time when tourism recovery is essential for many communities.