Insider Media Limited

The Peak District is aiming to cash in on a tourism windfall after the surroundings were used to film several blockbusters. David James, chief executive of tourism board Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, told Insider the region was "looking forward to the additional boost" that the new film version of Jane Eyre - filmed at Haddon Hall and Chatsworth - is set to bring businesses across the region.

In 2010, the value of tourism in Derbyshire was rated at more than £1.5bn, as 36 million tourists visited the county. This figure could be surpassed following visits from crews filming the latest Harry Potter instalment, The Duchess and Pride and Prejudice.

James said film tourism had "long been a key element in attracting visitors to the Peak District and Derbyshire".

He said: "People want to visit and see famous settings where blockbusting films like Pride and Prejudice, The Duchess and Robin Hood have been made.

"When they come to seek out movie 'hotspots', they bring valuable income into the area by booking accommodation and supporting other local businesses, such as cafes, shops, restaurants and other attractions, as they follow in the footsteps of their favourite stars."

He described the area as "a magnet for film makers who are seeking stunning landscapes and classic historic houses as beautiful backdrops".

"Tourists love to visit places where actors such as Keira Knightley, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Russell Crowe have appeared on location," he added.

Although no exact figures have been released estimating the economic benefits that film tourism brings to the area, local businesses said they are already cashing in from their proximity to the blockbuster spot.

Ian Hardman's business, the East Lodge Hotel and Restaurant in Rowsley, is one of the closest accommodation providers to Chatsworth House. He told Insider the 'Hollywood effect' had already garnered interest from film fans across the world.

"We had guests over from America while the cast and crew of Harry Potter were filming their latest movie," he said. "As a region, we really need to start banging the drum and getting people to see the Peak District as a top tourist destination."

Hardman said many tourists have been lured to the region for the same reasons as the film crews – "the stunning heritage buildings and picturesque locations".

"We are delighted with the growth of filming in the area because film tourism is a valuable source of revenue and can only be good for the local economy," he said. "We are really looking forward to the trend continuing in throughout the year."

The Harry Potter films are estimated to have brought in an additional £9m into the tourism industry elsewhere in the country in Northumberland when the cast and crew filmed in the region. The wizard movies are also believed to have also been responsible for a 120 per cent rise in tourism in Northumberland.

James said the region had already begun to reap the benefits of the blockbusters being produced in the area, as the tourism board has produced an 'attractions map' detailing the locations of where films and television programmes had been set.