Set-jetting — traveling to the real-world locations behind your favorite films and shows — keeps growing, and 2026 has an unusually strong lineup driving it. Disney’s live-action Moana premiered in theaters on July 10, 2026, and the Samoan-Australian actress cast as Moana has spoken about the honor of representing Samoa and the wider Pacific Islands on screen. Meanwhile, a new Wuthering Heights adaptation is expected to draw fans to the Yorkshire moors that inspired the novel. goodmorningamerica
Samoa itself has been actively building on its Moana connection for years, not just for this new release. Tourism officials there have already reported a 45 percent surge in European arrivals, crediting growing global recognition partly to the Moana franchise and its portrayal of Pacific Island culture, including ceremonial traditions like the ava ceremony. indiaoutbound
If you’re set-jetting to Samoa, go beyond the beaches: local tourism boards have invested in upgrades at natural sites like the Togitogiga Waterfalls specifically to accommodate rising visitor interest.
Latest travel news: The live-action Moana officially released in theaters this past July, and Samoa’s tourism sector has been preparing for renewed international interest tied to the film for several seasons already.
New word: Provenance (noun) — the place of origin or earliest known history of something. (“Fans traveling to Yorkshire are chasing the literary provenance of the Brontë novels.”)
This piece is brought to you by The Inspiring Insight — bringing you the stories behind your favorite travel destinations.
