Given that Stephanie Meyer’s book “Twilight,” documenting a teenage girl’s love affair with a vampire, has sold 85 million books and counting, and the big screen adaptation brought in $385 million at box offices worldwide, it should come as no surprise that “Twi-hards” are flocking to the Pacific Northwest.
According to local officials in Forks, Washington, tourism has jumped 600% since the release of the first book in the teen vampire love saga back in 2005. The series’ second book “New Moon,” which opened as a movie at midnight, makes a pit stop in Italy, but the majority of the action takes place in Washington, Oregon and Canada. Consequently, tours of “Twilight” filming areas have been booming.
For example, in Forks, Washington, a tiny logging community on the Olympic Peninsula, residents have seen a surge in visitors. Some call the town “Vampire Central” and tour operators have been having a field day. A free map outlines “Twilight” hot spots, such as Forks Community Hospital (where you can check out Dr. Cullen’s parking spot) and Forks High School. Tours are conducted by Dazzled by Twilight.
Portland, Oregon, was also a popular filming spot. Producers reportedly shot much of “Twilight” in St. Helens, near the Columbia River Gorge. Tour operators now take loyal “Twi-hards” to see Bella’s house, as well as the Italian restaurant where Edward and Bella had their first date. The tour also stops at nearby Corbett, and the View Point Inn, which was the site of the prom scene.
Finally, much has been made about the on-going Robert Pattinson sightings in Vancouver, British Columbia. Fans searching for the hunky actor have been flocking to the area in droves in an attempt to catch a glimpse of Pattinson shooting “Eclipse” (the third series installment set for release in June 2010). Several companies, including Twilight Tours Vancouver, have aided “Twi-hards” by taking them to various locations, including neighborhoods and restaurants where cast members have been seen hanging out between shoots.
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