It’s the most popular and well-known inspiration for travel. Grand sweeping landscapes! Wide open vistas! Gorgeous architecture partnered with a moody atmosphere. The most famous scenes from movies where the location has equal billing with the major stars. Set-jetting is a new name for an old concept that started with the earliest movies. And it’s not stopping anytime soon.
What is Set-Jetting?
It’s the ability to put yourself in the scene. It’s the moment when you feel like you are one of the characters in movies or TV scenes. Unlike books, which rely on our imagination, movies and TV series already provide us with visual cues that help build the connection between our travel plans and what we see on the screen. It’s similar to Video Games Tourism, but let’s face it–movies and TV series are still more mainstream than video games.
The power of a good location can sustain local tourism for years. Take a look at Middle-earth, also known as New Zealand. It has been over 20 years since the cinematic release of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, but Peter Jackson’s use of the country’s stunning landscape has cemented it as The Location for all things Tolkien.
Of course, not every screenshot is located in the same place as the storytelling. In Crazy Rich Asians, the blue building featured in the Mahjong game between Rachel and Eleanor. This famous building is known as Cheong Fatt Tze’s Blue Mansion, and is located in George Town on the island of Penang (Malaysia), and not Singapore.
The Need to Balance with Responsible Travel
Unfortunately, the downside to set-jetting is the equally powerful desire by travellers to photograph themselves in the exact same location as their favourite movie/TV series. This mission for the ‘perfect pic’ can often cause great disruption to locals and other travellers. While no one is denying the benefits of a great photo, please remain aware of your surroundings and refrain from doing anything that detracts from the enjoyment of others as well.