Movies and Books That Inspired Travel Booms

Travel Blog  •  Michael Yessis  •  04.17.08 | 12:23 PM ET

imageJon Krakauer’s book “Into the Wild”—and Sean Penn’s movie adaptation—have boosted tourism in parts of Alaska more than 100 percent, and the “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy caused a 34 percent increase in travel to New Zealand during its run a few years back, according to a piece in the April issue of Outside by World Hum contributing editor Frank Bures. Bill Bryson’s “A Walk in the Woods” also inspired travelers, drawing 57 percent more through-hikers to the Appalachian Trail in the two years after his book’s 1998 debut.

The AT could see another spike in coming years if the film version gets off the ground. Barry Levinson is leading efforts to adapt the book for the big screen, though he recently told Reelz that seasonal issues involved in filming outside could hold things up. “It’s still premature,” said Levinson. “If we do it, it will be really nice.”