Region of Crete approves proposal for tourism promotion film shot on the island

The Regional Committee of Crete has approved submitting a funding proposal for a feature-length film to be shot on the island, aiming to use cinema as a new tool for tourism promotion.

The project, titled “Production of film and television material for the tourism promotion of the Region of Crete,” will be submitted for funding under the Regional Development Programme of Crete 2026-2030, with a total budget of €119,600, according to the region.

Cretan landscape and culture at the centre

Under the plan, the production is intended to serve as an outward-facing promotional tool, with Crete functioning not only as the filming location but as a core element of the cinematic narrative. The island’s natural landscape, cultural identity, history, tradition, people and authentic way of life are set to form the main themes of the film, showcasing many of the same places in Crete that already draw visitors.

The region said the goal is for the resulting footage to serve as a lasting form of communication with potential visitors in Greece and abroad, creating new incentives to travel to the island. Particular weight is being placed on film tourism, a form of travel demand linked to viewers’ desire to visit locations they have seen in films and television productions, in a similar way to how experiences in Crete are already promoted to travelers.

The region also said it hopes to attract different categories of travelers, strengthen Crete’s international recognition, and support tourism activity over a larger part of the year.

According to the region, the plan is organized into five sub-projects, covering a significant part of the needs of a film production. Its timeline extends to the end of 2030, which the region said allows the initiative to fit into a longer-term strategy for promoting Crete as both a tourism and film destination.