On an international scale that movie filming creates economic and social impact on destinations. In destination perspectives, it generate various economic impacts to the country where the significant area of concern. In the global film industry, India plays a major role producing more than 600 films per year as the world’s largest film producing country investing big money.

The tourism industry is now using branding as a means of emphasising the feel of the place and developing a personality of the location as this differentiates the destination from the typical travelogue attraction because the branded destination is an experience not just a place to go.

Sri Lanka Film industry has been witnessed on an international scale as an ideal film location destination for the following popular films shot in Sri Lanka: Bridge on the River Qwai, Jungle Book, Indiana Jones, Mother Theresa, Water, Temple of the doom and Tarzen.

From a tourism point of view, India is the second highest outbound market in the world after China (UNWTO). As one of the world’s most populated nations and with a rapidly expanding middle class, India offers huge potential as an outbound market supplying millions of potential travellers.

According to the past survey conducted by Nielsen India Outbound Travel Monitor 2008, in partnership with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) reveals that, most of India’s outbound travellers hail from urban centres, they are well educated and well informed about the world and are eager to learn more through international travel.

By looking at the enormous potential we have in the film locations as well as tourist attractions in the country, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau participated at the Cinemascopes event being a ‘Silver Partner’ of the event which was a B2B conference and exhibition of location facilitators organized by SATTE (South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange) in partnership with The Film and Television Producers GUILD of India the apex body of Bollywood producers from October 28 to 29 in Mumbai, India together with the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, SriLankan Airlines and The Film Team, one of the leading companies registered in the film industry under the National Film Corporation. The event was a great success for Sri Lanka to promote the country as an ideal Film Location Destination while meeting, greeting and enhancing relations leadingto business with well known film producers in India under one roof.

Some of the great personalities in the Indian Film Industry participated at the above event too. Shekhar Kapur, is an internationally recognized Bollywood Film Producer/Director who has been awarded directing the winning period film Elizabeth. His other films include Bandit Queen and Mr. India. Mukesh Bhatt, a leading film producer in India who has produced more than 50 films. Ashok Thackeria, a leading film producer in India, Maharaja Mewar and Ms. Tisca Chopra, a popular Actress in India.

‘Sri Lanka is a paradise on earth. One of the very few places still left in its pristine beauty’, said Shekhar Kapur speaking at the event. ‘Benefit to tourism from film locations can be enormous.’ He further added that countries such as New Zealand provided many incentives to Indian film- makers to visit New Zealand for their film locations, as a result these counties have witnessed up to 40% increase in tourist arrivals from India. Through this event, Sri Lanka Tourism was able to attract many Indian personalities who are involved in the Indian film industry showcasing Sri Lanka pavilion with many beautiful film locations together with the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, SriLankan Airlines and the Film Team (Pvt) Ltd.

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