Gujarat Tourism has been conferred the National Award for being the “Most Film Friendly State” at the 63rd National Film Awards function recently held here. The award was received by Gujarat Minister of State for Tourism Jayesh Radadia from President Pranab Mukherjee. The Managing Director, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited & Commissioner Tourism N. Srivastava was also present during the award ceremony.
Gujarat is the first state ever to have been bestowed with this award conceived to promote film tourism. The award becomes more special as it comes just days after the release of the “Film Policy for Promotion of Gujarati Cinema”. Picturesque locations, friendly people, efficient administration and robust infrastructure makes Gujarat the most encouraging state for film tourism and promotion.
This award comes as an honour and appreciation of the efforts made by “Team Gujarat” to encourage the untouched and natural destinations for tourism during the last few years.
A vision as seen by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to put Gujarat on the tourism map is getting proactive support and guidance from the Chief Minister Anandiben Patel. Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, state tourism has achieved many milestones and is constantly striving forward in its efforts to attain the most preferred tourist destination status. Gujarat was adjudged the best among the 16 entries that were received for this award. The state government has recently prepared a policy encouraging the film industry. This provides a new impetus to the Gujarati Film Industry. “Film Tourism” is an effective tool to promote “State Tourism” worldwide. The Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (TCGL) had established a film cell in January 2014 and introduced a government resolution to facilitate production houses that are in the field of film/ documentary/ advertisement/ TV serials making. Gujarat Tourism is playing a pivotal role as a nodal agency to develop film tourism in Gujarat. TCGL won the National Tourism Award for Best film friendly promotion state for 2013-14 as well.
International film festivals are organised in different states and regions as films are considered to be the best platform to showcase the rich culture heritage, varied travel destinations and diversity in cuisine of the state to a worldwide audience.