The "magic" of Harry Potter is never gone: British tourism is booming thanks to filming locations.

"HARRY POTTER" - THE SAVIOR OF THE BRITISH TOURISM INDUSTRY

After grossing over $9.5 billion in theaters, Harry Potter will have a television adaptation with a new cast later next year. According to the Financial Times, more than two decades after the novels were published, the British tourism industry still relies heavily on the wizarding characters to attract visitors. In particular, four cities are vying to become the capital of "Harry Potter tourism": London, Oxford, York, and Edinburgh.

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The globally famous "Harry Potter" franchise and the locations featured in the films have become must-see tourist destinations for both British and international visitors. There are even tours specifically named "Harry Potter," visiting these famous locations and experiencing scenes from the films as they unfolded.

According to the Financial Times, upon arriving at the corner of Shambles Lane in York, visitors often encounter a scene of young people dressed up as Harry Potter wizards. They hold a "magic wand" in one hand, while the other grasps the hem of a wizard's cloak, often too large for them. The young people often share a similar style of dressing, boys dressed like Harry Potter, while girls resemble Hermione Granger. Shambles Lane is the narrowest street, lined with half-timbered houses, with the upper floors larger than the ground floor, always bustling with boisterous schoolchildren.

Nearly two decades after the final film, "Harry Potter and the Magical Hallows," concluded the famous wizard's adventurous journey, the Harry Potter brand seems to continue expanding, attracting tourists to the United Kingdom. This phenomenon is called "Pottourism." Recently, in a survey conducted by the UK's "Visit Britain" tourism agency, 47% of foreign visitors said they intended to explore the Scottish Highlands on the "Hogwarts Express" (in the French version, Hogwarts is called Poudlard).

According to statistics, the number of tourists visiting Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter has increased by 20% compared to the same period last year. This is a popular tourist destination that allows visitors to explore the behind-the-scenes production of the Harry Potter films and experience the magical filming locations.

In the United Kingdom, several cities are vying for the top spot in the Harry Potter-themed tourism industry, a subtle but fierce competition. Just as Hogwarts has four houses (Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff), the race involves four main contenders: York, though a latecomer, offers many picturesque film locations. Oxford is also chosen as a setting due to key locations such as the Bodleian Library (Hogwarts' infirmary) and the Christ Church College dining hall (Hogwarts' Great Hall).

London also boasts many beautiful filming locations, especially in the northwest suburbs where the Leavesden Studios were built, creating most of the important scenes. Since the studio opened to the public in 2012, it has attracted 17 million visitors, not including the 9¾ platform at King's Cross station, which features a luggage trolley half-attached to the brick wall.

The success of the Harry Potter film series continues to benefit the British economy, particularly in the tourism sector. The Harry Potter filming locations have become must-see destinations for tourists from all over the world.

A MAGICAL COLOR EXPERIENCE WITH A TRIP TO THE LAND OF MIST

A magical world at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter offers fans the chance to explore the behind-the-scenes workings and experience the making of one of the most famous and successful film series of all time. Visitors will have the opportunity to set foot on the actual locations that have become so familiar from the Harry Potter films.

Step into iconic settings from the films and learn about the making of Harry Potter. Cross Platforms 9 and 3/4 to board the Hogwarts Express and discover the production process of this cinematic classic. Experience the lives of the characters in the Forbidden Forest, Diagon Alley, and the Great Hall.

The iconic artifacts and film sets are carefully preserved and displayed so that fans can experience the magic of the film in the most authentic way possible.

Enjoy the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, London

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the most awarded play in history, and also “one of the most outstanding pop culture events of the decade,” according to Forbes. The two-part play, based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany, is currently being performed in London's West End.

The race through time, with its epic magical battle, is vividly recreated using incredibly impressive stage effects that have garnered praise from both fans and critics.

Platform 9 3/4 Shop: The gateway to the magical world of Harry Potter

The Platform 9 3/4 shop, located at King's Cross Station in London, is a must-visit for any Harry Potter fan. The shop faithfully recreates the scene from Platform 9 3/4, where the wizarding students board the Hogwarts Express to get to school. Visitors can take photos with the luggage cart that disappears into the wall, shop for unique souvenirs, and even try on the Sorting Hat.

Achieving such results is due to the flexible and synchronized operation of the entire system. For the arts and culture sector to create the Harry Potter-themed artistic product, local authorities and management units had to create conditions for the film to be selected as filming locations.

Khanh Linh