The Ministry of Tourism has recognized films as a powerful tool for promotion of tourism destinations and locations and taken following steps to promote Film Tourism as an important Niche Tourism product:
· The Ministry of Tourism has formulated guidelines, for extending Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to various State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations, for promotion of Film Tourism. Under these guidelines, CFA of Rs.2.00 lakh per film is extended, during each financial year, to the State Governments and UT Administrations for a maximum of five Films, which include Feature Films, Documentaries, Tele-films and Television Serials.
The CFA is granted for meeting the costs towards Space Hiring/Filming charges, Facilitation Fee etc., payable by the Filming Unit to various State Governments, UT Administrations, Government Agencies etc.
The films for CFA are selected based on the potential exposure they can provide for promotion of tourism destinations and locations. These guidelines have been circulated to all State Governments/UT Administrations and have been uploaded on the official website of the Ministry of Tourism;
· To establish India as a preferred filming destination and promote Film Tourism, the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in February 2012, inter-alia, to promote Cinema of India as a sub brand of “Incredible India” at various international film festivals and markets abroad, to develop synergy between tourism and the film industry and to provide a platform for enabling partnerships between the Indian and global film industry;
· To promote Film Tourism during 2013-14, the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting have jointly participated in the Cannes Film Festival & Market, 2013; International Film Festival of India (IFFI) Goa; and Film Bazaar, Goa;
· In January 2012, the Hon’ble Minister of Tourism wrote to the Chief Ministers of various State Governments and Chief Ministers/Administrators of various UT Administrations, to recognize the potential of Film Tourism and constitute special bodies/cells to facilitate filming in the States/Union Territories;
· The Ministry of Tourism has instituted a National Tourism Award in 2012 “Most Film Promotion Friendly State/UT” to encourage the State Governments and Union Territories to facilitate filming in their State/UT.
· During his visit to the Cannes Film Festival 2013, the Hon’ble Minister held one-to-one discussions with various stakeholders of the film industry from all over the world, to promote India as a preferred destination for film shooting and production. The Hon’ble Minister also addressed the select gathering during the Cannes Film Festival Dinner 2013.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Tourism (I/C) Shri K. Chiranjeevi in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
