Tourism New Zealand public relations and major events general manager Rebecca Ingram said at TRENZ this week that Pete's Dragon, largely filmed in Tapanui, was New Zealand's next big movie tourism opportunity.
Tapanui West Otago Promotions chairman Horace McAuley said the group had already discussed some ideas to capitalise on the movie, such as putting up a dragon sculpture near the community centre, to promote the link between the film and Tapanui.
It was working on coming up with more ideas.
One attraction already established by the local community board was a plaque presented by Pete's Dragon movie producers to the town.
It was on display in Northumberland St.
West Otago ward councillor Michele Kennedy said that was all the board had looked at so far and referred queries to Mr McAuley.
Mr McAuley said there was a suggestion a film premiere should be held at Tapanui and he had been in touch with the film's producers about that.
He said one setback for Tapanui as a movie "hot spot'' was the difference between it and locations such as Hobbiton, near Matamata, which had been permanently changed for a movie.
Although the main street of Tapanui was transformed when it was used for Pete's Dragon, many shops were made over solely for the movie.
"Sadly, that was not to be retained,'' Mr McAuley saidIt would be difficult to recreate the look from the film when the work was never meant to be permanent.
The owner of local cafe Tucks Pantry, Gill Tuckey, was able to keep her store as it appeared in the film, but was not able to promote it as featuring in the movie until the film was released in theatres.
She said many tourists often travelled to movie locations and hoped Tapanui could be able to promote it.
Shooting for the movie Goodbye Pork Pie also took place in Tapanui last month.
