Just recently admired in films and series, the location is already becoming a vacation destination for many - Gen Z in particular has fallen for the "set jetting" trend, as recent studies show.
Cinema as the new travel guide? Movies and series seem to be the new sources of inspiration for vacation planning. This is according to the latest travel trend report Unpack '26 from Expedia. The locations of films and series such as "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale", "Jay Kelly" and "Vaiana" are considered future contenders for top travel destinations.
According to the report, "set jetting" has established itself as a global travel trend. Worldwide, 53 percent of respondents say that their desire to visit film and television locations has increased in the past year. Interest is particularly pronounced among younger travelers: 62 percent of 18 to 44-year-olds worldwide and 52 percent in Germany feel a growing need to travel to the locations of their favorite scenes from series and films.
In Germany, TV, streaming and cinema productions now have even more influence on the choice of travel destination than social media. While only 35 percent of German travelers are inspired by social media, 55 percent say that films and series significantly influence their travel decisions. Only among the youngest respondents (18-24 years) do social media still have a slight lead.
Within the media formats, classic television is the strongest source of inspiration: 33 percent of Germans have already been inspired to take a trip by TV productions. Streaming services follow with 27 percent and movies with 22 percent. Among 18 to 44-year-olds, on the other hand, streaming platforms dominate as the most important source of travel inspiration with 38%.
For the travel trend report, 24,000 adults in 18 countries who are planning a trip at home or abroad in the next three years were surveyed. 1,000 people from Germany and 2,000 people from the USA took part.
Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Two films have the northern English county as a backdrop: "Wuthering Heights" (cinema release: 2026) and "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale" (in cinemas since September).
Tuscany, Italy
The small Tuscan town of Pitigliano has a supporting role in the film "Jay Kelly" starring Adam Sandler and George Clooney. (Cinema release: November 2025)
Samoa, Polynesia
The live-action adaptation of Disney's "Vaiana" is being filmed in the island state in the southwest Pacific. (Cinema release: July 2026)
Dalmatian Coast, Croatia
The film adaptation of the BookTok hit "No Summer Without You" is set in vacation resorts on the Dalmatian coast. (Netflix start: 9, January 26)
Los Angeles, California
In the second season of "Nobody Wants This", Los Angeles once again becomes the backdrop for the love story of a podcaster and a rabbi. (since October 23 on Netflix)
Wellington, New Zealand
The fantasy epic "Avatar 3: Fire & Ash" is set to take us to a new, volcanic region of "Pandora" and has chosen New Zealand as its inspiration. (Cinema release: December 2025)
