Filming Resumes for Beyond Your Backyard

Filming recently wrapped up in Happy Valley, PA, for “Beyond Your Backyard” hosted by Emmy-Award winning host, Erik Hastings, a.k.a. Erik The Travel Guy. The program was in cooperation with the Happy Halley Adventure Bureau (HVAB), the official destination marketing organization for the area. For months, Hastings and his team have been working with destinations on a timeline to return to their communities safely to capture locations for the Public Broadcasting (PBS) travel series, now in its fourth season. 

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB) knows that the pent-up demand for travel exists and their team is preparing for increased demand for quality information about Happy Valley, Pennsylvania. Fritz Smith, President and CEO of The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, understood timing was key, both for filming and safety for travelers and his local community. 

“Having new video content, through B Roll and the episodes, is essential to our future marketing efforts. HVAB had initial concerns about shooting during the pandemic; that disappeared immediately upon the arrival of Erik and the Beyond Your Backyard team. They shot two episodes in Happy Valley while strictly adhering to state and local safety guidelines,” said Smith. 

Beyond Your Backyard is working with destinations to highlight safe travel options as the tourism industry works to safely return and  boost economic impacts on American communities. Travel has always been a top industry for producing immediate economic impact. The pandemic again proved that with communities hard hit as travel shrank, museums shuttered and restaurants were reduced to take out for months during the height of the summer travel season. Destinations around the country worked to balance their messaging of safety and openness, promoting outdoor activities that allowed for social distancing. 

After halting production in spring due to the pandemic, timing seemed right for a cautious step back into communities. September began with location scouting in Vermont and South Carolina. A small crew captured footage in Central Pennsylvania and completed an episode in Montauk, NY before finishing out October in Happy Valley.

“We are excited to return to capturing the soul of these places in North America. We are taking all the necessary precautions for the safety of our production crew and the locals in the destinations,” said Erik Hastings. “In addition, we are taking the advice of local and national health officials while creating meaningful and inspirational travel content.”   

About Erik the Travel Guy

About Erik the Travel Guy
Erik Hastings, a.k.a. Erik the Travel Guy, is the host of the Emmy-award winning television series “Beyond Your Backyard” which is seen in almost every American Household on public broadcasting stations (PBS) and on on-demand platforms such as Amazon Prime and YouTube. He, along with a team of content professionals, have been making educational travel videos and shows since 2006. His career includes radio, media design and production, theater, commercial work and hosting duties, including work for WABC, HBO, The Disney Channel, PBS, and Starz & Encore.