Real business from reel tourism
The PHD Chamber of Commerce's film tourism conference brought together tourism and film industry stakeholders and state tourism boards to discuss how India can become a viable destination for filming.
The 'Global Conference on Film Tourism-India: The Focal Hub' organised on September 16, was graced by Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs (I/C), Government of India, as the Chief Guest. “We look forward to new ideas so that film tourism gets a new direction in India and promotes tourism in the country,” said Dr. Mahesh Gupta, President, PHD Chamber. Prominent film directors like Madhur Bhandarkar and Prakash Jha, Ambassadors from various countries including Czech Republic, Poland, Turkey, Vietnam, Austria, Romania and Latvia, government officials and travel agents were also present at the conference. Parvez Dewan, Former Tourism Secretary, Govern- ment of India, says, “Cinema including television is one of the most powerful tools to promote tourism and India is yet to harness its potential. We need to bring India on a par with destinations like London and Georgia which provide incentives in terms of cash and other forms to film producers who shoot at these locations. While Thailand does not give any incentive whatsoever, their process of speedy permissions to shoot attracts major song and beach sequences of the Bollywood films. We need to make a one stop shop for easy permissions in India to attract more Indian as well as foreign film shootings to India. ”
According to the PHDCIIRNCOS report released at the event, only 35 per cent of Bollywood films were shot in India during 2014-2016, while 45 per cent were shot abroad and 20 per cent were shot both in India and abroad. The reasons identified for a higher number of Bollywood films being shot at foreign locations are that foreign countries generally provide benefits such as easy processing of visas, discounts in accommodation and travel, location tariffs to facilitate road or shooting permits, assistance in identifying locations, etc.
Stakeholders identified that lack of incentives and subsidies from states to shoot was a deterrent. A cumbersome and lengthy process to acquire permissions from multiple authorities; lack of proper infrastructure; poor connectivity; inadequate airport capacities; availability of good quality and reasonably priced hotel rooms, etc. are all a cause of concern.
The report suggests that the state as well as central government must take measures to increase awareness about the concept of film tourism among filmmakers in India; organise roadshows, exhibition, seminars, etc. to educate producers about incentives, subsidies, and other benefits; promote film tourism in theatres before or after the movie and conduct campaign or advertisements; Investment in infrastructure; initiatives such as exemption or refund of VAT, rebate in production cost, free premiers, reduction or exemption of entertainment tax, etc. will certainly make a huge difference in Indian film tourism industry. A uniform policy at a national level for film tourism industry would integrate state taxes; and at the same time would also consider number of legislative, administrative and promotional measures.