The internet is no longer just helping people choose where to travel. In some cases, it is creating the reason to travel in the first place.
1. Shenzhen, China — Factory Tourism
Foreign executives are now paying up to $15,000 for tours of Chinese AI, robotics, and electric-vehicle factories.
Shenzhen has become a destination for people who want to see China’s technology and manufacturing ecosystem firsthand.
2. Yorkshire, England — TV Tourism
After Wuthering Heights arrived on screen, searches for Yorkshire jumped 60% in the first six weeks.
Expedia says summer searches were still 35% higher year over year, showing how quickly entertainment can redirect real-world travel.
3. Shanxi, China — Video Game Tourism
The video game Black Myth: Wukong turned real Chinese heritage sites into destinations for players.
Research published in 2026 found searches for Shanxi attractions surged 156% when the game launched, while around 40% of visitors learned about some sites through the game.
4. Japan — Gaming-Inspired Travel
Japan is benefiting from travelers who want to experience places connected to games, anime, and virtual worlds.
Research increasingly identifies gaming as a genuine tourism driver, with players turning fictional landscapes and cultural references into real travel plans.
5. Hidden-Gem Destinations — Found on TikTok
KAYAK found that 69% of Gen Z and 66% of Millennials want to visit places they have never been.
Posts using TikTok’s #hiddengems hashtag have also increased by more than 50%, helping obscure destinations reach travelers who might never have found them through traditional travel guides.
6. Movie Locations — Becoming Bucket-List Trips
Expedia estimates screen-inspired tourism could become an $8 billion U.S. industry.
In 2026, destinations from Yorkshire to Tuscany are seeing interest driven directly by movies and television.
The strange part is that travelers increasingly discover the destination after discovering the story.