The Untapped Power Of Film Tourism In Nollywood.

The Untapped Power Of Film Tourism In Nollywood.

Tourists have been known to see certain sites shown in movies and have gone visiting the locations such sites in which the scenes were shot eg the Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower, Disney Land, Tajmahal, Giza pyramids, The Great Wall of China amongst others. The Alnwick castle, Northumberland, film location for Harry potter witnessed an astronomical increase in visitors ever since it became the film setting for Hogwarts.

Nollywood filmmakers to say the least have not capitalized on this aspect. Filming locations are majorly people's homes, a few eateries, clothes and accessories stores. Shots at beaches failed to capture the beauty and essence of nature synonymous with such spots. In particular, two movies have shot scenes capturing the beauty of waterfalls which created the much desired tourism effect.

AMBO's "White Waters" (directed by Izu Ojukwu and starring Joke Silva, Rita Dominic and O.C. Ukeje) captured the "Farin Ruwa water falls" in Nassarawa state. Kunle Afolayan's "The Figurine, araromire" captured the "Erin Ijesha water falls" in Osun state. Both water falls boosted the cinematographic content and both movies carted away prizes at respective AMAA events.

Nollywood producers should take advantage of various tourism spots to shoot their movies such as the Obudu cattle ranch, Olumo rock, the Yankari National park, Shere hills, Ikogosi warm spring, Jos wildlife park, three sisters hill, Idanre hills, Azumini blue river rose, Gurara falls, Oguta lake resort, Agbokim falls, Coconut/ alpha / lekki / eleko/ kuramo/ akode beaches amongst others.

Historic sites can be shown in adventure prone movies and especially with a creative scriptwriter who can surround such sites with mystery and suspense related scenes. Such historical sites include the First storey building in Nigeria, Slave port jetty and market, The Ancient city walls and gates of kano, Ancient walls with seven gates (katsina), Mongo Parks's cenotaph and Zungeru (tombs of over a hundred colonial aids of lord lugard (Niger), Kpambo and Fikiyu mysterious rocks (Taraba) amongst others.

Stories revolving around priceless artefacts/relics found in museums can be told eg relics of the Akassa raid (Rivers sate), relics at the National War Museum (Abia), Gidan Makaman (kano), Oron museum (Akwa Ibom), Lagos, Benin, Plateau can be used to create a mind blowing movie. Even the use of luxury hotels and resorts have not been fully explored by the filmmakers such as the Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Eko Hotel and Suites, Transcorp Hilton, Protea Hotel Obudu cattle ranch resort, La Campagene Tropicana beach resort. Some scenes in Kunle Afolayan's "The Figurine, araromire was shot at the Miccom Golf Hotel and resorts.

Nollywood movies are viewed by millions of people in other countries through exportation of same or via DSTV's "African Magic" which shows Nollywood movies to over 1. 5 Million subscribers in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Yoruba and Hausa movies are said to have their own channels on the cable station where viewers can watch. Nigerians themselves are not exempted from visiting tourism sites. Where such tourism spots record an astronomic rise in the influx of tourists, then Governors, Honourable Commissioners of Tourism will be propelled to partner with filmmakers to promote tourism sites within their jurisdiction which would serve as a welcome alternative of revenue for the states.

Film tourism has the potentials to create a wealthy economic base for the Nation and is a catalyst needed for the speedy development of the Nigerian Movie Industry.

So long... auggiepo@yahoo.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Augusta_Okon

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