PHDCCI’s 7th Global Film Tourism Conclave to spotlight the power of cinema in boosting tourism

Mumbai, Feb 10: PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India; Gujarat Tourism; Madhya Pradesh Tourism; and Uttar Pradesh Tourism, is set to host the 7th edition of Global Film Tourism Conclave (GFTC) on 14 February 2025 from 10 am to 5 pm at Radisson Blu Mumbai International Airport.

Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat*, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism and Culture, Government of India has been invited as the Chief Guest to inaugurate the conclave.

A keynote address by Mr. Sabbas Joseph, Co-Founder of Wizcraft Group, will highlight the impact of large-scale film events like the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) on tourism, showcasing how film-induced tourism benefits host cities and countries.

Another keynote session titled ‘Evolving Landscape of Films and Tourism’ exploring the growing synergy between films and tourism over the decades, will feature Mr. Shibasish Sarkar, President, Producers Guild of India and Group CEO, Reliance Entertainment Studios.

Key sessions will include ‘Shoot to Bill, Tourist Dollars’, moderated by Ms. Reema Lokesh, Founder and Editor, Reemarkabl.com, featuring Mr. Prithul Kumar, Joint Secretary (Broadcasting II) and MD, National Film Development Corporation, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India; Ms. Lohita Sujith, Sr. 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. The session will discuss India’s increasing appeal for international film productions, particularly since the introduction of a 30% incentive for foreign film productions, which has led to a 25% increase in film shootings in India over the past two years.

A special segment on ‘Filming in Madhya Pradesh & Gujarat’ will focus on how these states are emerging as prime filming destinations, offering insights from tourism board representatives and industry experts. Reports from state tourism departments indicate that Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat have recorded a 40% rise in film productions, leading to substantial tourism revenue and employment generation.

Another key session, ‘Availing Government Incentives for Shooting in India’, will be presented by Ms. Shruti Rajkumar, Vice President (I&B Desk), India Cine Hub, providing insights on policies and financial incentives available for filmmakers.

The session ‘Cinematic ROI: Unveiling the Economics of Film Tourism’ will be moderated by Mr. Utpal Acharya, CEO, Content Engineers, with panelists including Mr. Aliaksandr Matsukou, Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in Mumbai; Ms. Malvika Khatri, Head – Films, Roy Kapur Films; Mr. Madhav Roy Kapur, Executive Producer, Dharma Productions; and Mr. Jaiprakash Rengarajan, CEO & Founder, All Around Globe. This discussion will analyze how film tourism generates billions in revenue worldwide and what strategies India can adopt to capture a larger share of this growing market.

According to a report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), global film tourism contributes an estimated $88 billion annually to the world economy, with locations featured in popular films seeing a 30-50% increase in tourist visits.

With an impressive lineup of speakers and industry experts to foster collaborations between the film and tourism sectors, this conclave aims to explore how cinema can drive tourism growth and enhance destination branding.

GFTC 2025 is being held under the guidance of Mr. Anil Parashar, Chairman – Tourism Committee, PHDCCI and Executive Director, Interglobe Technology Quotient and Mr. Rajan Sehgal, Co-Chair – Tourism Committee, PHDCCI and Founder & Advisor, Teleporters Travel Solutions.