 "Is Bollywood the new ambassador for foreign tourism boards?")
Ever wanted to race you car down the picturesque lanes of Berlin like Shah rukh in Don 2? Or are you planning your next international trip to Prague after watching Rockstar? If yes, then it’s worth the cash foreign tourism boards are spending on Bollywood movies.
Most tourism boards are increasingly pitching for locations to producers and directors in India by offering subsidies, which can bear almost 40 percent of the cost of a film, Business Standard reports. This funding can come in the form of tax rebate, free stays, visa facilitation or even direct percentage of the production cost.
[caption id=“attachment_308345” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“After Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, the influx of Indian tourists to Spain increased to 32 percent.”]
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In fact, Planet Bollywood reported that many filmakers, international tourism boards and producers had come together for the Locations Exhibition Conference 2011, which facilitates such funding for Bollywood films. In return, the locations appear to mesmerise the audience, raising the tourist influx into the foreign country. After Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, the influx of Indian tourists to Spain increased to 32 percent.
The business of sourcing international locations is worth around Rs 500 crore and is growing. Even Producer Ritesh Sidhwani’s Don 2 was being financed by Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, on a commission basis, getting a subsidy of Rs 20-25 crore.
The Times of India says, Ra.One got a subsidy of Rs 20 crore and Desi Boyz got around Rs 1-2 crore subsidy from the UK government.
South Africa gives 30 percent and Australia offers about 40 percent tax sops, with additional incentives from individual states like Queensland. Spain, New Zealand and France are all exploring new opportunities with India to promote tourism through films, which they know is perhaps the most popular past time in India.
For film makers, the cost turns out to be much cheaper with handsome subsidies coming in from foreign governments. Moreover, they get to shoot in exotic locations as well as complete their films in a single schedule.