Set-Jetting: The Travel Trend Turning Your Streaming Queue Into Your Next Trip

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You’ve just finished binge-watching a show, and instead of doom-scrolling for what to watch next, you’re searching flights. The restaurant from that scene in Paris. The coastline where the drama unfolded. The spooky castle that haunted your dreams for a week.

This is what trend setters call set-jetting — and it’s reshaping how people decide where to go.

What’s Set-Jetting?

Set-jetting (also called TV tourism or film tourism) means traveling to real-world locations featured in TV shows and movies. It’s where fandom and nostalgia meet wanderlust — a way to step physically into stories that move you emotionally.

The trend has picked up speed alongside streaming platforms. When a show drops globally and millions watch at once, certain locations suddenly appear on everyone’s radar. According to Expedia’s 2024 travel trends report, nearly 30% of travelers now say TV shows and movies influence their travel decisions more than ever before, with streaming content driving major shifts in destination choices.

Why This Trend Keeps Growing

Set-jetting works because it solves a real problem: the paradox of choice. When everywhere is technically accessible, deciding where to go can feel like a really tricky decision. A beloved show does the curation for you!

Standing where your favorite character stood turns passive watching into an active experience. These trips come with emotional connections already built in. Rather than generic sightseeing, you’re following a narrative, recreating scenes, hunting for specific spots, piecing together a geography you already know from your favorite show or movie.

The numbers don’t lie — Sicily saw a 300% spike in travel interest after “The White Lotus” Season 2. Richmond, a London suburb featured in “Ted Lasso,” experienced a 160% surge in Expedia searches. After Norway appeared in “Succession’s” final season, searches jumped more than 65%.

Locations Drawing the Most Interest Right Now

“The White Lotus” has turned specific resorts into bucket-list destinations. The Four Seasons Maui at Wailea in Hawaii and the San Domenico Palace Hotel in Taormina, Sicily, both saw searches spike by more than 300% after featuring in the show’s first two seasons. Season 3, set in Thailand, drove a 412% increase in searches for “Thailand holidays” after the trailer dropped in late 2024.

“Game of Thrones” locations continue drawing visitors years after the finale. Research from the Zagreb Institute of Economics found that 244,000 tourists visited Dubrovnik, Croatia, between 2012 and 2015 specifically because of the show, spending $147 million. In 2024, Game of Thrones tours generated over $19 million for Dubrovnik alone.

The “Lord of the Rings” films established New Zealand as a site for fantasy fans. According to Tourism New Zealand, 18% of visitors in 2019 said the films initially sparked their interest in the country, with visitors influenced by the movies contributing approximately $428 million annually to the economy.

“Emily in Paris” has made specific Parisian streets and cafés into destinations within a destination. After each season, Expedia sees more than a 200% spike in interest for Paris. A survey by France’s National Center for Cinema found that 44% of foreign tourists who watched shows or movies before visiting cited “Emily in Paris” as inspiration.

Planning Your Own Set-Jetting Trip

The gap between “I want to go there” and actually going requires some practical navigation.

• Finding locations. Fan communities have done significant work mapping filming sites. Dedicated databases, Reddit threads and fan wikis often contain more precise location information than official sources. Search for your show’s name plus “filming locations” and you’ll usually find detailed breakdowns.
• Guided vs. self-guided. Both options exist. Organized tours handle logistics and often include access or context you couldn’t get independently. Self-guided trips offer flexibility and the satisfaction of discovery. Your choice depends on how much structure you want and whether exclusive access matters for the specific locations you’re targeting.
• Booking considerations. Some filming locations are public spaces you can easily visit. But others are private properties, hotels, or businesses that might require reservations or have limited access. Do some research before assuming you can just walk in.

The Social Media Feedback Loop

Social media amplifies set-jetting in both directions. Travelers share their experiences with recreated shots, “I was here” posts and side-by-side comparisons with scenes from the show. This content inspires others, who then create their own content, continuing the cycle.

Hashtags, reels and fan groups function as both inspiration sources and planning resources. Someone else’s trip report becomes your starting point.

FAQ’S

What is set-jetting? Traveling to real-world locations where TV shows and movies were filmed. It’s driven by wanting to experience places you’ve connected with through on-screen stories.

How do I find filming locations to visit? Fan communities, dedicated databases and searches combining the show’s name with “filming locations” typically surface detailed information. Reddit and fan wikis are often more comprehensive than official sources.

Are set-jetting tours worth it? Depends on what you want. Guided tours are more convenient, offer more context and sometimes exclusive access. Self-guided trips provide flexibility and cost savings. For locations with limited access or more complex logistics, tours might be your best option.

This story was originally published December 17, 2025 at 2:38 PM with the headline "Set-Jetting: The Travel Trend Turning Your Streaming Queue Into Your Next Trip."

Taylor Haught

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