Twilight Saga Promotes Economic Prosperity in Forks, Washington (Pierce Mattie Public Relations New York & Los Angeles)

Stephanie Meyer’sTwilight series is contributing to the struggling economy in two ways: book sales and the revival of a rainy logging town called Forks, Washington.

The addictive four-book vampire love saga has been soaring the New York Times Best Sellers list for 58 weeks now and has elicited a cult-like following. Coming from someone who read the near 3,500 pages in about two weeks, these books are the perfect escape from the reality. Twilight is getting the silver screen treatment with a feature film adaptation of the first book expected in theatres in November.

The saga’s setting, Forks, Washington, is also one of the main characters in the story. Meyers’ vivid description of the town has made an estimate of 100 Twilight-obsessed tourists flock to the town each day to test the boundaries between fantasy and reality.

Before Twilight, Forks was a desolate logging town little known to many. Since logging is on the decline, businesses shut down and portions of the local high school have been condemned. Now the story of Bella Swan and her vampires and werewolves has breathed life into the town. Ironic considering vampires can’t even breathe.

Restaurants have named menu items in homage of the book and tour guides are making good money taking fans to various sites the characters in the saga visit. Bella burgers come with a side of vampire teeth (though Meyers’ vampires don’t have fangs) and hotels are seeing numbers they never imagined. A guest book holds signatures of twilighters from all over the globe including Europe, Asia, and South America.

I think it’s nice to know something as simple as words on a page can motivate people to travel despite airlines tacking on plenty of surcharges in light of this economic hiccup. Maybe there is something we can all learn from this example of economic stimulation.

Have you ever traveled to the setting of a book or movie? What is something you are so passionate about that economic threats won’t stop you from spending money on it?