“A location on screen does not remain just geography; it becomes aspiration. It becomes memory. It becomes a dream people wish to experience for themselves,” said Shri Suresh Gopi, Hon’ble Minister of State for Tourism, Government of India, while delivering a special video message during the 8th Global Film Tourism Conclave organized by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) on 13 February 2026 in Mumbai.

Calling India ‘a civilization of stories’, he emphasized that from Varanasi’s spiritual aura to the festivals of the Northeast, from Rajasthan’s forts to Kerala’s backwaters, every region carries cinematic depth waiting to be shared with the world. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to positioning India as a film-friendly destination through progressive policy reforms and seamless facilitation mechanisms. “When the camera rolls, opportunity must flow to the grassroots,” he noted, highlighting film tourism as a driver of livelihoods, soft power and inclusive growth.

While delivering the Chief Guest address, said Mr. Suman Billa (IAS), Additional Secretary and Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, stressed that film tourism must be strategically designed rather than left to chance. Citing global research indicating that nearly 80 million travelers are influenced annually by cinema and media, he described film tourism as one of the most cost-efficient and high-impact destination marketing tools available today. “A compelling story unlocks aspiration far more effectively than conventional advertising.”Mr. Billa further said, “Model guidelines, measurable incentive structures linked to screen time, data-driven evaluation, PPP models and immersive film-centric experiences are essential if we are to generate sustained economic value.