According to local authorities, the series' release increased demand for houses and overnight stays in local accommodations in the town.

The tourist itinerary identifying the main filming locations of the series "Rabo de Peixe," produced for Netflix and released in October 2023, has created positive tourism in the area, according to the municipality of Ribeira Grande.

"Statistically, we have around 5,000 people who have downloaded the app, which, in our view, is very positive," Alexandre Gaudêncio, mayor of Ribeira Grande, on the island of São Miguel, Azores, told Lusa. Indirectly, the interactive guide (accessible via cell phone) has led "hundreds of tourists" to roam the streets of Rabo de Peixe daily to "visit the locations where the Netflix series was filmed."

According to the mayor, the impact of the tourist itinerary on the area has been "extremely positive," given the feedback from some celebrities on social media and, also economically, due to the high number of people visiting the region and "visiting local restaurants."

Many of the visitors "are already booking itineraries with specialized travel agencies, which tour the various locations where the series was filmed," and maritime tourism activities have even begun to emerge in Rabo de Peixe, which previously existed, "also as a result of the Netflix series."

After the launch of the tourist itinerary in October 2023, "greater, positive tourist pressure was felt, which led new tourism-related businesses to set up shop in the village of Rabo de Peixe."

According to the mayor, "the impact of the series was global" for Rabo de Peixe and the municipality of Ribeira Grande, on the Azorean Island of São Miguel, noting that "it was one of the most-watched shows in over 150 countries."

Alexandre Gaudêncio also noted that demand for housing, particularly in the village of Rabo de Peixe, "has increased considerably since the series premiered."

"This is also an economic indicator that, judging by the number of people who started looking for a home in Rabo de Peixe, [...] is also a positive economic indicator," he said.

Even the demand for overnight stays in local accommodation units in Rabo de Peixe "increased considerably" after the television series aired. "I would say that the Netflix series has brought very positive economic benefits to the village [of Rabo de Peixe], to the municipality [of Ribeira Grande] in general, [and] to the island [of São Miguel]. I sincerely believe that the city government was a good leader in this process in terms of showcasing the series, and we've seen these results," concluded the mayor of Ribeira Grande.

The interactive guide to the main filming locations of the series "Rabo de Peixe" can be downloaded on iOS and Android mobile platforms.

"Just search for Rabo de Peixe and you'll quickly find it in the Apple Store or Google Play, and then download the corresponding app [VizitAR] to your phone. In the app, you can then see the locations where the series was filmed. You can also create a Google Maps-style itinerary for those with GPS access on your phone," Alexandre Gaudêncio explained to Lusa.

The app includes some excerpts from the Rabo de Peixe locations where scenes from the series were shot. "It was a winning bet, and we're very excited for the second and third seasons, which are already scheduled to premiere in two weeks. We believe this will further boost this first season," he concluded.

"Rabo de Peixe" is the second Portuguese fiction series produced for Netflix and was directed by Augusto Fraga and Patrícia Sequeira.

Read more...