7th Global Film Tourism Conclave organised in Mumbai by PHDCCI Tourism Committee on 14 February . With the theme ‘Reel to Real: Redefining Destinations’, the conclave was held in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Gujarat Tourism, Madhya Pradesh Tourism and Uttar Pradesh Tourism.
Mr. Prithul Kumar , Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and Managing Director of National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) was the Chief Guest. He emphasized the importance of bringing more international film shoots to India as, he said, “every dollar spent on filmmaking in India by international productions yields a six-folds returns for the economy”.
Dr. Ranjeet Mehta , CEO & Secretary General, PHDCCI highlighted the contribution of tourism in the fast-paced growth of the country’s GDP. Mr. Anil Parashar , Chair and Mr. Rajan Sehga l, Co-Chair – Tourism Committee, PHDCCI spoke about the impact that cinema has on shaping minds and the role it plays in propelling people to visit the places that they see on screen. Mr. Mahesh Singhi , Chair – Maharashtra Chapter, PHDCCI shared insights on the state capital as a major contributor to the Indian film industry in terms of number of films produced and released. The session was moderated by Ms. Shalini S Sharma , Assistant Secretary General, PHDCCI.
A keynote address by Mr. Sabbas Joseph , Co-Founder, Wizcraft Group, highlighted the role of the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) in promoting tourism, stating that the upcoming Jaipur edition of IIFA 2025 is expected to boost tourist footfall exponentially. Another keynote address by Mr. Shibasish Sarkar , President, Producers Guild of India & Group CEO, Reliance Entertainment Studios, analyzed three decades of film tourism, focusing on technological advancements, audience dynamics and policy reforms shaping the industry.
The panel discussion ‘Shoot to Bill, Tourist Dollars’, moderated by Ms. Reema Lokesh, Founder & Editor, Reemarkabl, explored India’s increasing appeal for international film productions. Panellists Mr. Prithul Kumar; Ms. Lohita Sujith, Senior Director – Copyright & Digital Economy, Motion Picture Association India Office; Mr. Sunil Doshi, CEO, Alliance Media & Entertainment; Mr. Himanshu Patil, Director, Kesari Tours; and Mr. Amrit Mann, Director, Mann Tours India, shared insights on how India’s 30% film incentive has led to a 25% increase in international film shoots in just two years.
‘Filming in Madhya Pradesh: The Heart of Incredible India’, discussed how Madhya Pradesh has leveraged its cultural heritage, scenic landscapes and government support to attract filmmakers. The panel featured Mr. Atul Singh, Managing Director, MP Incoming; Mr. Ram Kumar Tiwari, Deputy Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board; Mr. Faisal Malik, Actor & Producer; and Ms. Deeya Choudhary, Founder, Soch Films.
‘Filming in Gujarat: Rann of Opportunities’ showcased Gujarat’s incentives, infrastructure and stunning landscapes, making it a preferred destination for filmmakers. Speakers included Mr. Ranjit Sinh Parmar, Vice Chairman, Heritage Tourism Association, Gujarat; Ms. Prachi Mathkar, Senior Executive, Gujarat Tourism; Mr. Sachin Agarwal, Owner, Gujarat Line Production Co.; and Mr. Sudhir Sherigar, Executive Producer, Mantapa Productions.
A masterclass on ’Availing Government Incentives for Shooting in India’ led by Ms. Shruti Rajkumar, Vice President (I&B Desk), India Cine Hub, provided a deep dive into tax rebates, policy frameworks and incentives offered by Invest India and various state governments to attract filmmakers.
The conclave reaffirmed PHDCCI’s commitment to promoting India as a premier destination for film productions, urging stakeholders to capitalize on the immense economic and cultural potential of film-induced tourism.
