News for Jul. 02, 2006

Locations see tourism surge after movies

7/02/06, 10:25 am EST - Xoanon

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- New York City's best pitchman these days might be King Kong. In posters and billboards around Britain -- and soon in Japan -- the super-sized gorilla is shown looming above the Empire State Building with a slogan that beckons potential tourists: "You've seen the film, now visit the set." More than ever, tourism promoters are realizing the power of cinema to attract visitors -- as are dozens of tour operators, authors and hoteliers who are capitalizing on the public's fascination with celebrity. [More]