Los Angeles Joins US Cities Surging on Film Tourism Wave

Los Angeles, long synonymous with Hollywood, is repositioning itself within a new wave of global “set-jetting,” aligning with a growing group of U.S. cities that are drawing rising numbers of inbound visitors specifically to experience filming locations, studio tours and screen-inspired attractions.

Film Tourism Moves Into the Mainstream

Film tourism, once considered a niche interest for devoted fans, has shifted into the travel mainstream as streaming releases and global franchises shape destination choices. Industry analyses describe a sustained rise in “set-jetting,” in which travelers plan trips around locations they have seen on screen. Recent travel trend reports highlight that a measurable share of U.S. travelers now book trips after encountering a destination in a movie or series, reinforcing the connection between viewing habits and visitor behavior.

Globally, this pattern has been visible in destinations from European historic cities to remote landscapes that experienced visitor surges after featuring in high-profile productions. Financial and tourism data underline that screen exposure can accelerate post-pandemic recovery and broaden a city’s appeal beyond traditional sightseeing. For U.S. destinations, this has opened a new competitive arena in which film backdrops, studio infrastructure and location-friendly policies help attract international audiences.

Within this context, Los Angeles is no longer simply the production capital behind the scenes. It is positioning itself on equal footing with other U.S. cities that now actively market their on-screen identities to attract inbound visitors and convert film fandom into overnight stays, attraction tickets and tour bookings.

Los Angeles Builds on Production Rebound and Visitor Growth

Los Angeles is leveraging a recent uptick in local film and television activity to reinforce its pull for international movie and television fans. Data released by the region’s permitting agency in early 2026 indicate that on-location production days rose in the first quarter of the year compared with the final quarter of 2025, with television work showing particular strength. The increase follows continued investment in California’s film and TV tax credit program and local campaigns to retain major projects in the region.

Tourism indicators suggest that this revival aligns with a broader recovery in visitor numbers. Briefings to the city’s tourism commission for 2025 reported close to 50 million total visitors to Los Angeles, including more than 6 million international arrivals, supported by global marketing efforts built around the “We Love LA” message. Travel trade materials emphasize film-linked experiences such as studio tours, new museum openings and refreshed attractions tied to blockbuster franchises, which are being promoted alongside preparations for events including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Industry observers note that this mix of renewed production, major events and screen-linked attractions positions Los Angeles to compete more directly for film-motivated travelers. The city’s longstanding icons, from the Hollywood Sign to Griffith Observatory and historic backlots, are now being framed as part of curated, screen-inspired itineraries rather than stand-alone landmarks.

Five US Cities Emerge as Film Tourism Counterweights

While Los Angeles refines its offer, several other U.S. cities have rapidly developed their own identities as film tourism hotspots, particularly for inbound visitors seeking specific franchises and series. Atlanta has earned the “Hollywood of the South” label as a major base for superhero films and streaming productions, with location tours and fan experiences increasingly woven into the city’s tourism marketing. Its soundstage capacity and incentive structure have encouraged repeat use of recognizable neighborhoods and landmarks on screen.

Albuquerque has turned its association with crime dramas and science fiction hits into a defined visitor proposition. Local tourism materials highlight dedicated tours that follow the routes of acclaimed series and films, including themed RV excursions and packages that combine filming locations with the city’s Route 66 heritage. Economic development case studies describe film tourism as a growing contributor to the local visitor economy, with small businesses building products specifically around recognizable scenes and settings.

New York City remains a dominant draw for international visitors and benefits from decades of screen exposure across genres. City guides and private operators promote routes that trace locations from romantic comedies, superhero franchises and prestige television dramas, reinforcing Manhattan and the boroughs as living film sets. Chicago and Miami, both prominent in recent production lists and streaming catalogues, have also seen a steady rise in screen-branded tours, waterfront backdrops and skyline shots that tie directly into inbound travel campaigns.

Together, these five cities present a diversified map of U.S. film tourism, each appealing to different fan communities and source markets while collectively raising the profile of the country as a destination where familiar on-screen worlds can be experienced in person.

Inbound Markets and the Economics of Screen-Inspired Travel

Available travel and government data show that major U.S. metropolitan areas continue to attract substantial numbers of overseas visitors, with New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando and San Francisco among the top recipients of international arrivals. Within those flows, industry surveys indicate that a share of travelers are explicitly influenced by film and television, either as a primary motivation or as a factor shaping which cities they choose to include on multi-stop itineraries.

Recent travel trend reporting suggests that a double-digit percentage of U.S. travelers have already booked trips after seeing destinations on screen, and that searches for specific cities can climb noticeably in the weeks following major releases. While these figures are not limited to the United States, they illustrate the scale of opportunity for U.S. cities that align film exposure with targeted marketing, product development and air service strategies.

For cities such as Los Angeles, Atlanta and Albuquerque, the economic implications go beyond tour ticket sales. Film tourism can support year-round demand for hotels, restaurants and attractions, smooth seasonality, and encourage longer stays among international visitors who plan time around guided tours, studio visits and side trips to secondary locations. It can also reinforce a city’s brand in ways that complement convention business and large-scale events, helping destinations broaden their appeal to both leisure and business travelers.

Competing Strategies in a Crowded Screen Landscape

As more destinations around the world promote film connections, U.S. cities are refining strategies to stand out. Los Angeles is emphasizing its dual role as both working production hub and visitor playground, marketing active backlots, studio experiences and new attractions tied to globally recognized franchises. Investment in transport links, museum developments and entertainment districts is being framed as part of a broader effort to keep the city front-of-mind for international fans choosing where to experience Hollywood culture firsthand.

Other U.S. cities are differentiating through specific genres and narratives. Atlanta leans into its reputation for comic-book universes and ensemble blockbusters, while Albuquerque highlights gritty drama, desert landscapes and its role in newer streaming hits that have found large international audiences. New York continues to trade on its depiction as an urban character in its own right, with borough-specific tours catering to fans of everything from classic cinema to contemporary streaming series.

Analysts note that collaboration between tourism agencies, film offices and private operators is becoming more structured, with some cities commissioning research on how screen exposure influences visitor decisions and how best to package locations for international markets. With production levels recovering and global travel volumes rising, Los Angeles’ decision to align more explicitly with fellow U.S. film tourism hotspots signals an intensifying competition to convert screen time into arrivals, spending and long-term destination loyalty.