Executive Summary
Georgia’s film boom has reshaped local tourism and accommodation planning. As productions turn small towns into global backdrops, short-term rentals (STRs) have become the flexible foundation of this new visitor economy. Rentalscape helps cities harness that growth through data transparency, compliance management, and actionable insight.
“When cities can see their lodging ecosystem clearly, they can plan for opportunity instead of reacting to it,” says Stacey Kurtz, Sales Director at Deckard.
Georgia’s Cinematic Tourism Surge
Georgia has earned its title as “Hollywood South,” attracting major productions that transform communities like Covington, Senoia, and Cherokee County. Covington alone draws 2.8 million visitors and generates $118 million in annual spending, according to the Georgia Municipal Association.
Local governments are investing in apps, walking tours, and marketing campaigns built around filming locations. Each project adds to the state’s storytelling map, pulling fans from around the world.
“Every time a city becomes a backdrop for a story, it’s marketing that money can’t buy,” says Kurtz. “The question is, how do you turn that attention into real visitor revenue and housing capacity?”
Short-Term Rentals: The Missing Link
Film tourism rarely follows predictable patterns. Visitor surges happen long after filming ends and often in areas with limited hotels. STRs meet this demand by offering flexible, distributed lodging that adapts to shifting visitor flows.
For cities, that flexibility can either be an advantage or a challenge. Without visibility into who’s operating, where listings are located, or whether they comply with local rules, opportunity can quickly become strain. Rentalscape solves this by mapping every STR property, tracking compliance, and showing local leaders how lodging supply connects to tourism demand.
“Short-term rentals are the connective tissue between exposure and economic benefit,” notes Kurtz. “Cities that manage them well can turn a temporary spotlight into a steady revenue stream.”
Using Data to Guide Tourism Strategy
Rentalscape’s data tools give Cities & Counties real-time insight into lodging activity and visitor behavior. Cities can identify spikes linked to popular filming locations, anticipate occupancy swings, and make informed choices about zoning or marketing.
When a new show drives renewed interest in a location, Rentalscape helps quantify that momentum—showing how many new STRs have appeared, how occupancy rates are shifting, and where compliance gaps exist. These insights let local governments plan proactively instead of reacting to sudden growth.
“Data demystifies tourism,” says Kurtz. “When a city knows where visitors are staying and what drives them there, it can act strategically instead of guessing.”
Empowering Small Towns
The film economy’s reach extends far beyond Atlanta. Many Georgia communities with fewer than 25,000 residents are seeing meaningful gains in visitor traffic thanks to film exposure. In these towns, STRs make tourism possible where hotel infrastructure is minimal.
Rentalscape levels the playing field by giving small Cities & Counties the same intelligence tools used by large metros. Local leaders can see exactly how tourism activity connects to local policy, helping them make data-driven decisions about enforcement, marketing, and community benefit.
“Data levels the playing field,” says Kurtz. “A small city can act like a big one if it understands its tourism drivers.”
A Playbook for Cities
For Cities & Counties looking to capture the benefits of film tourism through STRs, the path forward is clear:
Conclusion
Film tourism has given Georgia a global spotlight. Short-term rentals ensure that local communities can keep that light shining by turning cinematic attention into measurable economic growth. Rentalscape provides the data foundation that helps cities manage lodging, maintain compliance, and plan for sustainable tourism.
“Cities already have the spotlight,” concludes Kurtz. “Rentalscape helps them keep it shining.”