Yuma Gets Tourism Bump From 'The Force Awakens'

Have you seen Star Wars: The Force Awakens yet? (We haven't, so don't spoil it for us, please.) The latest installment in the Star Wars saga is drawing rave reviews from critics and audiences, and apparently it's also boosting tourism in the Yuma area thanks to that city's connection to the previous film in the series.

As KTAR reported last week, the famous desert battle in 1983's Return of the Jedi was filmed in the desert outside Yuma, just off Interstate 8. As the new movie's premiere approached, Yuma tourism officials say they saw an uptick in visitors inquiring about the location. Though the film set was on the California side of the Colorado River, most of the cast and crew stayed in Yuma during filming.

If you're unfamiliar (somehow) with Return of the Jedi, the battle in question occurs on Jabba the Hutt's barge and results in Jabba's demise, several people falling into the sarlacc pit, and the escape of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian. And don't forget the droids.

Perhaps the Star Wars movies' most famous filming location is Tunisia, where most of the Tatooine scenes were shot.