Scotland preparing for Potter tourists
August 16, 2003 at 7:39 PM ET
Cheeser
HPANA (via Sunday Herald)
Tourism officials in Scotland are in discussions with Warner Bros. about how best to exploit locations and settings
used in the Harry Potter films. For their part, WB doesn't want to "demystify the magic" for its fans:
A memorable scene in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the second film in the trilogy, was set against the backdrop of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, and featured the Jacobite Steam Train. The forthcoming third film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban, also includes scenes in Scottish locations.
[But] Warner Bros. doesn't want the illusions of children shattered, or concrete locations too obviously linked with particular sequences in the films. This might "break down" the magic according to one company spokeswoman. "We've always been non-specific about where the locations are in Harry Potter," she said.
Attempts by VisitScotland to tap into the Harry Potter effect are likely to be subtle. "We are more likely to try and exploit thematic spin-offs - for instance the Glenfinnan viaduct is instantly recognisable with the stream train and we could encourage people with '10 magical rail journeys in Scotland'," said Malcolm Roughead, head of marketing for the company.