The Untapped Power Of Film Tourism In Nollywood

Tourists have been known to see certain sitesport jetty and market, The Ancient city walls and
shown in movies and have gone visiting thegates of kano, Ancient walls with seven gates
locations such sites in which the scenes were shot(katsina), Mongo Parks's cenotaph and Zungeru
eg the Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower, Disney(tombs of over a hundred colonial aids of lord
Land, Tajmahal, Giza pyramids, The Great Wall oflugard (Niger), Kpambo and Fikiyu mysterious
China amongst others. The Alnwick castle,rocks (Taraba) amongst others.
Northumberland, film location for Harry potterStories revolving around priceless artefacts/relics
witnessed an astronomical increase in visitors everfound in museums can be told eg relics of the
since it became the film setting for Hogwarts.Akassa raid (Rivers sate), relics at the National
Nollywood filmmakers to say the least have notWar Museum (Abia), Gidan Makaman (kano), Oron
capitalized on this aspect. Filming locations aremuseum (Akwa Ibom), Lagos, Benin, Plateau can
majorly people's homes, a few eateries, clothesbe used to create a mind blowing movie. Even the
and accessories stores. Shots at beaches failed touse of luxury hotels and resorts have not been
capture the beauty and essence of naturefully explored by the filmmakers such as the
synonymous with such spots. In particular, twoSheraton Hotel & Towers, Eko Hotel and Suites,
movies have shot scenes capturing the beauty ofTranscorp Hilton, Protea Hotel Obudu cattle ranch
waterfalls which created the much desiredresort, La Campagene Tropicana beach resort.
tourism effect.Some scenes in Kunle Afolayan's "The Figurine,
AMBO's "White Waters" (directed by Izu Ojukwuararomire was shot at the Miccom Golf Hotel and
and starring Joke Silva, Rita Dominic and O.C.resorts.
Ukeje) captured the "Farin Ruwa water falls" inNollywood movies are viewed by millions of
Nassarawa state. Kunle Afolayan's "The Figurine,people in other countries through exportation of
araromire" captured the "Erin Ijesha water falls" insame or via DSTV's "African Magic" which shows
Osun state. Both water falls boosted theNollywood movies to over 1. 5 Million subscribers in
cinematographic content and both movies cartedAfrica, Europe and the Middle East. Yoruba and
away prizes at respective AMAA events.Hausa movies are said to have their own channels
Nollywood producers should take advantage ofon the cable station where viewers can watch.
various tourism spots to shoot their movies suchNigerians themselves are not exempted from
as the Obudu cattle ranch, Olumo rock, thevisiting tourism sites. Where such tourism spots
Yankari National park, Shere hills, Ikogosi warmrecord an astronomic rise in the influx of tourists,
spring, Jos wildlife park, three sisters hill, Idanrethen Governors, Honourable Commissioners of
hills, Azumini blue river rose, Gurara falls, OgutaTourism will be propelled to partner with
lake resort, Agbokim falls, Coconut/ alpha / lekkifilmmakers to promote tourism sites within their
eleko/ kuramo/ akode beaches amongst others.jurisdiction which would serve as a welcome
Historic sites can be shown in adventure pronealternative of revenue for the states.
movies and especially with a creative scriptwriterFilm tourism has the potentials to create a
who can surround such sites with mystery andwealthy economic base for the Nation and is a
suspense related scenes. Such historical sitescatalyst needed for the speedy development of
include the First storey building in Nigeria, Slavethe Nigerian Movie Industry.