Shenzhen, as featured in the box-office blockbuster The Mermaid, surprised the audience with its modernity and natural beauty, and shed light on movie-themed tourism products in the city. Provided to China Daily

The Mermaid, directed by Hong Kong comedian and director Stephen Chow Sing-chi, on Tuesday led the mainland box office by 2 billion yuan ($307.2 million) in a space of nine days.

At the same time, Shenzhen, where the movie was mostly shot, also surprised the audience with its modernity and natural beauty.

Many local residents said they are proud of living in the city, but regret having been unable yet to visit its natural resorts.

"I'm not aware that Shenzhen has such magnificent sea views besides the crowded Dameisha Beach Park," said Wang Yuezhou, 29, who has worked in Shenzhen for two years.

He cited Yangmeikeng in the Dapeng Peninsula to the east of the city, which boasts unexploited valleys and beaches. The film also shows Shenzhen's iconic skyscrapers, luxury apartments, factories and a local amusement park.

As Zhangjiajie, a national park located in Hunan province, gained fame from the movie Avatar, experts believe destinations shown in The Mermaid will also become more attractive, especially among Shenzhen residents.

Song Ding, a senior analyst at the Tourism and Real Estate Industry Research Center at Shenzhen-based think tank China Development Institute, told China Daily that the consumption power of migrant workers is considerable, especially in Shenzhen which is home to more than 10 million migrants.

He said the city has the foundation to develop a "family reunion plus traveling" model as many migrants have set up their own homes in Shenzhen and hope to give their parents a treat when they visit the city.

During the week-long Spring Festival holidays, Guangdong's tourism revenues topped those of other mainland provinces with 31.54 billion yuan, while Shenzhen was one of the most popular tourist destinations, according to the China National Tourism Administration.

Song said The Mermaid is more attractive to people living in Shenzhen rather than tourists because they can easily resonate with some local scenery.

Liu Ke, sales director of China International Travel Service Shenzhen Co (CITS), said these sites are more appealing to independent travelers rather than group tours, as the city's infrastructure facilities are well in place.

Tourist agencies, he said, can design special products with in-depth experience for them, and the segmentation of tourist products will dictate the direction of Shenzhen's tourism industry in future. Travel groups with movie themes can also attract a high-end niche market.

CITS has organized international tourism products, like Roman Holiday to Italy and Mission: Impossible to Dubai, but has yet to set up a tour group with the theme of The Mermaid.

grace@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 02/17/2016 page8)