MoU signed between Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd. (TCGL) and Worldwide Media Pvt Ltd
With the advent of Filmfare Awards in Gujarat, it is all set to become hub of cinematic tourism
and subsequently boost film production, tourism, employment
BILKULONLINE
By Rafat Quadri
Gandhinagar, July 19: In a first, Gujarat is going to host the prestigious film awards of Bollywood film industry. Subsequently, the 69th Filmfare Awards will be hosted in Gujarat in January 2024.
To seal it into making a reality an MoU between the Gujarat Tourism Corporation Limited (TCGL) and Worldwide Media Pvt Ltd (A Times Group Company) to organize the 69th Filmfare Awards 2024 in the state. This MoU will serve as a turning point for the state’s whole film and tourism community as well as for the western region of the nation. It is to be noted that Gujarat launched the Cinematic Tourism Policy in September 2022, and after that, this is yet another great feat for Gujarat.
Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel, Tourism Minister of Gujarat Mulubhai Bera, Secretary of Tourism, Gujarat – Hareet Shukla (IAS), Managing Director and Commissioner of Tourism – Dr. Sourabh Pardhi (IAS), Chief Principal Secretary to K. Kailashnathan (IAS), Chief Secretary Rajkumar (IAS) as well as Vineet Jain, Managing Director, The Times Group, Deepak Lamba, CEO, Worldwide Media Pvt. Ltd. and Tiger Shroff, popular Hindi film actor were present at this important event.
The Filmfare Awards are one of the most prestigious awards in Indian cinema. So, Gujarat will gain greatly if the Filmfare Awards ceremony is held here in the state. Gujarat will attract a large number of celebrities, filmmakers, and industry professionals by hosting such a renowned award ceremony. This influx of visitors would stimulate the local economy by increasing tourism, hotel bookings, and overall spending in the state.
With the hosting of the Filmfare Awards, Gujarat will be promoted as a film destination. Gujarat would receive significant exposure and promotion as a potential filming location. Filmmakers will be enticed to use Gujarat as a backdrop for upcoming film projects and the event will highlight the state’s infrastructure, cultural heritage, and scenic splendor. This might lead to further investments and film production in the state.
The film and entertainment industry creates numerous job opportunities, both directly and indirectly. Hosting the Filmfare Awards in Gujarat could generate employment in various sectors such as event management, hospitality, transportation, security, and more.
Filmfare Awards receives extensive media coverage across various platforms including television, print, and digital media. This exposure would provide Gujarat with widespread visibility, promoting tourism, attracting investors, and enhancing its overall image.
Hosting the Filmfare Awards would facilitate cultural exchange between the Indian film industry and the local culture of Gujarat. It would provide an opportunity for artists and filmmakers from Gujarat to interact with industry professionals and gain exposure to the latest trends and techniques in filmmaking.
Hosting the Filmfare Awards will contribute to the growth of the tourism industry in the state. The extensive television coverage of the award ceremony will enhance Gujarat’s reputation as a sought-after tourist destination. By garnering media attention, the ceremony will showcase Gujarat’s tourist attractions, cultural heritage, and facilities, thereby attracting potential visitors to the state.
The event will offer an opportunity to present Gujarat’s abundant tourist attractions to both local and international spectators. Gujarat boasts a diverse array of attractions for tourism, including historical sites such as the Rann of Kutch, Sabarmati Ashram, and Dwarka, as well as prominent sites like the Statue of Unity and Gir Forest National Park. By showcasing these destinations, the Filmfare Awards aim to encourage visitors to explore the many other captivating tourist attractions Gujarat has to offer.
The Filmfare Awards are expected to attract celebrities, industry experts, and their fans to Gujarat. As a result, there will be a rise in the number of tourists visiting the state. These tourists who are attending the event might choose to prolong their stay in Gujarat and explore nearby tourist attractions. This, in turn, will accelerate the tourism industry of the state.
To accommodate a prestigious event like the Filmfare Awards, the state government, and local authorities would likely invest in improving infrastructure, transportation, and hospitality facilities. These improvements will not only be advantageous for the award ceremony itself, but will also enhance Gujarat’s overall tourism infrastructure, making it more attractive to visitors in the long run.
The increased tourism activity generated by the Filmfare Awards would have a positive economic impact on various sectors associated with tourism, such as hotels, restaurants, transport services, tour operators, handicrafts, and souvenir shops. It would create business opportunities, generate employment, and contribute to the local economy.
Hosting the Filmfare Awards in Gujarat can provide significant support to the state’s cinematic tourism policy.: The Filmfare Awards, being a nationally recognized and widely televised event, would attract a significant international audience. The exposure generated through the awards ceremony would showcase Gujarat’s potential as a filming location to a global audience. This may inspire filmmakers and production houses across the world to use locations from Gujarat as backdrops for their projects, which will encourage cinematic tourism in the state.
Hosting the 69th Filmfare Awards in Gujarat will serve as a platform to highlight the scenic beauty, cultural heritage, and filmmaking infrastructure of the state. This initiative aims to inspire filmmakers and industry professionals to consider Gujarat as an attractive filming destination. Consequently, it is expected to attract film production companies to the region and stimulate filming endeavors, thereby bolstering cinematic tourism in Gujarat.
Organizing a prestigious occasion such as the Filmfare Awards necessitates the development and improvement of infrastructure, such as event venues, accommodation facilities, transportation networks, and communication systems. These enhancements would not only support the awards ceremony but also benefit the overall cinematic tourism infrastructure in Gujarat. The upgraded infrastructure will attract filmmakers, facilitate film shoots, and enhance the overall filmmaking experience in the state.
Hosting the 69th Filmfare Awards in Gujarat will create networking opportunities and collaboration among local filmmakers, artists, and industry professionals with their counterparts from other regions. This exchange of ideas, expertise, and creative collaboration can contribute to the growth of Gujarat’s local film industry, further enhancing the state’s cinematic tourism potential.
Gujarat’s affiliation with the Filmfare Awards will serve as a potent marketing tool for the industry. The award ceremony will draw attention to Gujarat’s state-sponsored incentives for filmmakers, film-friendly policies, and distinctive experiences. Tourists interested in exploring film locales, touring film sets, and learning about Gujarat’s cinematic history would be drawn by the promotion.
Therefore, by means of the Filmfare Awards, Gujarat can successfully demonstrate its potential as a tourist destination for the film industry, allure filmmakers, and position itself as a sought-after filming location. The growth in film production and tourism-related endeavors will contribute to the comprehensive advancement of the state’s cinematic tourism policy.
(Rafat Quadri can be contacted at editorbilkul@gmail.com)