World Tourism Day 2026 special: These 5 locations became fan pilgrimage after iconic movies - Full details here

Cinema has a unique power to transport audiences across the globe, turning breathtaking backdrops into ultimate bucket-list destinations.

As the travel industry embraces “set-jetting,” the trend of travelling to locations featured in movies and TV shows, some spots have evolved into permanent shrines for die-hard fans.

From the rugged Himalayas to the romantic streets of Europe, here are five stunning destinations that experienced a massive tourism boom after being featured on the silver screen:

The crystal-clear, high-altitude waters of Pangong Lake became India's most sought-after road-trip destination following the blockbuster climax of 3 Idiots.

The breathtaking contrast of deep blue waters against barren mountains struck a chord with travellers.

Today, visitors can still find replicas of the famous yellow scooter and other iconic props lining the shore, allowing fans to recreate the film's magical ending.

Peter Jackson’s epic fantasy franchise has permanently intertwined New Zealand's global identity with Middle-earth.

From the perfectly preserved, rolling green hills of the Hobbiton movie set in Matamata to the dramatic alpine peaks of Fiordland and Queenstown—which doubled as the formidable Misty Mountains—the country remains the ultimate bucket-list pilgrimage for Tolkien enthusiasts seeking immersive cinematic tourism.

This modern Bollywood classic redefined the concept of youth travel in India. The snowy slopes, dense pine forests, and challenging trekking routes of Manali and the broader Himachal Pradesh region became the ultimate symbol of friendship, adventure, and coming-of-age journeys.

The film single-handedly prompted thousands of millennials to pack their backpacks and head out to experience the thrill of the mountains.

This cult-favourite film served as a spectacular three-hour visual brochure for Spanish tourism.

From throwing tomatoes at the vibrant La Tomatina festival in Buñol to deep-sea diving in the azure waters of Costa Brava and experiencing the adrenaline-fueled bull run in Pamplona, the movie inspired a whole generation of travellers to plan an adventurous Euro-trip centred on celebrating life and conquering fears.

The hit Netflix series injected a fresh wave of modern romance into the French capital. Pop-culture tourists now flock to the historic Latin Quarter to snap photos at the picturesque Place de l'Estrapade (the exterior of Emily’s apartment building), dine at Gabriel’s restaurant (the real-life Terra Nera), and indulge in butter croissants at local boulangeries, all while seeking their own slice of the chic Parisian lifestyle.

Why is World Tourism Day celebrated?

World Tourism Day is observed globally every year on 27 September. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) officially established this annual celebration in 1980.

The specific date was chosen to commemorate the 1970 adoption of the organisation's statutes, a major milestone in shaping global tourism policies and international travel standards.

The core purpose of World Tourism Day is to raise global awareness about the immense value of tourism and its direct impact on social, cultural, political, and economic development. It serves as a reminder of how travel breaks down cultural barriers, creates millions of jobs, and supports economic development worldwide.

For the 2026 edition, the global celebration is being hosted in El Salvador, with the official theme being “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”.

This forward-looking theme highlights how digital infrastructure and AI tools are actively transforming the way modern travellers discover, book, and experience new destinations.

About the Author

Arshdeep Kaur is a Senior Content Producer at Mint, where she reports and edits across national and international politics, business and culture‑adjacent trending stories for digital audience. With five years in the newsroom, she strives to balance the speed and rigor of fast‑moving news cycles and longer, context‑rich explainers. <br><br> Before joining LiveMint, Arshdeep served as a Senior Sub‑Editor at Business Standard and earlier as a Sub‑Editor at Asian News International (ANI). Her experience spans live news flows, enterprise features, and multi‑platform packaging. <br><br> At Mint, she regularly writes explainers, quick takes, and visuals‑led stories that are optimized for search and social, while maintaining the publication’s standards for accuracy and clarity. She collaborates closely with editors and the audience team to frame angles that resonate with readers in India and abroad, and to translate complex developments into accessible, high‑impact journalism. <br><br> Arshdeep's academic training underpins her interest towards policy and markets. She earned an MA in Economics from Panjab University and holds a Post‑Graduate Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the India Today Media Institute (ITMI). This blend of economics and broadcast storytelling informs her coverage of public policy, elections, macro themes, and the consumer‑internet zeitgeist. <br><br> Arshdeep is based in New Delhi, where she tracks breaking developments and longer‑horizon storylines that shape public discourse.

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