Hotels and tourist attractions in Bath are hoping to benefit from a boost in visitor numbers from Germany when a new drama filmed in the city is broadcast on German TV’s prime Sunday night slot.
London and Munich-based production company Gate TV, which specialises in dramas for British and German audiences, has been filming recently at a number of locations in the city for the drama based on stories by bestselling novelist Rosamunde Pilcher.
Leading roles have gone to Jane Seymour (Dr Quinn, Medical Woman) and Greg Wise (Sense and Sensibility) but Bath Tourism Plus and Bath & North East Somerset Council are hoping the real star of the series will be the Royal Crescent and other famous city locations which form the backdrop for much of the action.
Councillor Ben Stevens, Cabinet member for sustainable development, said: “The filming of TV dramas contributes considerable investment into the local economy so we are very happy to welcome Gate TV back to Bath for a third time.
“The council’s film office works closely with production companies to source filming locations in the area and assist with the smooth running of shoots for the benefit of crews, residents and visitors.”
Rosamunde Pilcher’s ‘Aga saga’ romantic novels such as Cliffs of Love and The Shell Seekers are based in her native Cornwall. But German TV adaptations have become immensely popular, particularly for Sunday night viewing when they regularly attracted audiences of around 7m. That in turn has sparked a whole industry of Rosamunde Pilcher tours of Cornish locations from Germany.
Some 40% of tourists to Cornwall are now estimated to be German – and because they spend up to 50% more than domestic visitors have delivered a welcome boost to the county’s tourism industry.
Now Bath’s tourism chiefs are hoping some of that magic will rub off here.
Bath Tourism Plus chief executive Nick Brooks-Sykes added: “The influence of Bath being featured in a Rosamunde Pilcher TV series should not be underestimated. These series are shown on national German TV at peak Sunday viewing times, watched by many millions who gain inspiration to visit.
“VisitBritain, the national tourism body, recognises the effect that Rosamunde Pilcher has on German visits to the UK. For Bath to be featured is great news and something that should reap rewards for the city’s visitor economy.”
Britain receives almost 3m visits a year from Germany, worth some £1.2bn. Some 27% come to the South West – the biggest proportion of any region outside London.
On average 30,000 Germans visit Bath each year, but Bath Tourism Plus’ latest marketing strategy, and the legacy of the Olympics means a potential increase in visitors to the South West.
Mr Brook-Sykes added: “Bath is well placed to capitalise on this, with 36 direct flights to Bristol Airport and a direct connecting bus service from the airport to the city centre of Bath.”
Bmi regional flight launched direct flights from Bristol Airport to Hamburg and Hanover earlier this year and doubled the frequency on its Bristol-Frankfurt route, which started in December, to twice daily.
“Bath Tourism Plus has been working hard in Germany: we have been made presentations and held meeting with travel writers and tour operators in key German cities and have been represented at Germany’s biggest corporate business event,” said Mr Brook-Sykes.
“We have also hosted a number of influential trade representatives in Bath and introduced them to local hotels and attractions. Already we are receiving feedback that there is a noticeable increase in Germans visiting Bath this year.”
