Lok Sabha Question No. 1323 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-11
Subject: Promotion of Film Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: P.R. SUNDARAM, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1323 ANSWERED ON 11.02.2019

## PROMOTION OF FILM TOURISM

## 1323. SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the initiatives taken by the Government to encourage film tourism in the country and the extent of success achieved therefrom so far;
- (b) whether film tourism has not been fully developed in the country though India has vast potential, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether India has signed MoU/agreement with various countries to develop film tourism and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  proposal  from  the various  States  including  Maharashtra  regarding  publicity  and promotion of tourism based projects including documentary films and TV commercials;
- (e) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  response of the Government in this  regard  along with the time by which the said proposals are likely to be sanctioned; and
- (f) the other steps taken by the Government to promote film tourism in the country in a time bound manner?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI K.J. ALPHONS)

(a) and (b): The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government  of  India  has  informed  that  Film  Facilitation  Office  (FFO)

has been set up with a view to promote and facilitate film shootings in India. FFO acts as a single window facilitation point for ease of filming in India by assisting them to get requisite permission and disseminating information on shooting locations and facilities available with the Indian film industry for production and post- production. FFO has also launched its web-portal https://ffo.gov.in/en for this purpose.

(c):  The  Ministry  of  Tourism,  Government  of  India  has  not  signed  any Memorandum of Understanding  (MoU)/Agreement  with  any  country  to specifically promote film tourism.  However, the Ministry of Information and  Broadcasting,  Government  of  India  has  signed  Audio  Visual  Co  production Agreements with 13 countries with a view to promote coproduction  of  films  between  Indian  film  makers  and  film  makers  of different countries.  This is an enabling document which facilitates coproduction of films.

(d)  to  (f):  The  Ministry  of  Tourism has not received any proposal from the States/UT's including the State of Maharashtra, regarding publicity and  promotion  of  tourism-based  projects  including  documentary  films and TV commercials.

The Ministry of Tourism has recognized films as a powerful tool for promotion of destinations and has taken following steps to promote Film Tourism as an important Niche Tourism product in the country:

- (i) The Ministry  of  Tourism  extends  financial  support  to  State Governments/Union Territory Administrations, for promotion of 'Film Tourism'. The financial assistance is provided up to Rs.2.00 Lakh per film for components such as Space Hiring/Filming charges, Facilitation Fee etc.
- (ii) The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  instituted  a  National  Tourism Award, namely, 'Most Film Promotion Friendly State/UT' to encourage the State Governments and Union Territories to facilitate filming in their State/UT.
- (iii) The Ministry of Tourism also promotes Film Tourism as part of  its  on-going  activities  viz.    release  in  print,  electronic, online  and  outdoor  media  campaigns  in  the  domestic  and international markets, under the Incredible India brand-line, to promote tourism products and destinations of the country.

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