Union Minister of State, Dr. Jitendra Singh, and Union Minister of Culture, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, recently addressed a side event on the theme ‘Promoting Incredible India through Film Tourism.’ The event took place during the 3rd Tourism Working Group Meeting and was attended by Sh. Apurva Chandra, Secretary Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India.
The side event aimed to expand the film tourism sector and highlight the various aspects of Incredible India. Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed his belief that India possesses abundant talent and a century-old film legacy, with renowned figures like Guru Dutt and Satyajit Ray being recognized for their artistic work despite the lack of opportunities and facilities. He expressed hope that the business community would support the efforts already undertaken by the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
Dr. Singh emphasized the importance of facilitating the ease of filmmaking and upgrading existing studios to support the film industry. He called for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to pursue the liberalization of state regulations to encourage filmmaking across India.
Shri G. Kishan Reddy highlighted the significant employment generation potential of tourism, particularly among vulnerable communities. He stressed that film production can have a lasting impact on travel destinations, as exposure to a place through cinema transforms it into a tourist attraction. Sh. Reddy urged states and union territories to develop formal policies for the promotion of film tourism, and strengthen existing policies to facilitate film production.
Shri Apurva Chandra, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, delivered a detailed session on ‘Facilitating Film Tourism in India through Film Facilitation.’ He emphasized that India’s film sector has much to offer the world, including skilled manpower, visual effects, and sound capabilities. The rich culture and heritage of India provide an ideal environment for shooting the best films. To create a conducive environment for the film industry, the Film Facilitation Office at NFDC has been established as a single-window mechanism to expedite the issuance of film visas to international cast and crew.
Sh. Chandra also highlighted India’s position as a hub for animation, visual effects, and gaming. He noted that several notable masterpieces and big-budget films have been produced in India, benefiting from lower production costs, which attracts filmmakers.
Various sessions during the side event on Tourism discussed leveraging the power of film tourism to promote destinations. States and union territories had the opportunity to share their policies and best practices for developing film tourism. Industry stakeholders also provided suggestions and feedback on factors that would encourage filmmakers to shoot in different locations across the country.
Overall, the event emphasized the potential of film tourism in showcasing the beauty and cultural heritage of India to the world, while also driving economic growth and employment opportunities.