Foreign tourism boards offer sops to attract Indian filmmakers

30% cash rebate for filming in Netherlands; 25% tax rebate on production costs in Portugal

Foreign tourism boards and film commissions are stepping up their efforts to woo Indian production houses to film in their countries by offering tax incentives and free hotel stays.

Yash Raj Films made Swiss locales famous through its movies, and Zoya Akhtar’s Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara brought Spain closer to the Indian audience — boosting arrivals of Indian tourists to the country.

Other countries do not want to be left behind. Delegates from tourism boards and film commissions recently converged in Mumbai for the two-day India International Film Tourism Conclave. Participants came from Portugal, Netherlands, Romania and European island nation Malta, along with Kenya, South Africa, the UAE and others.

“We are seeing a lot of interest from Indian filmmakers.  Two Hindi movies —  Queen and Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming movie, The Ring, have been filmed in our country,” said Bas van der Ree, films commissioner of Netherlands. “Amsterdam and its canals are popular for film shoots and next year we plan to bring a bigger team to India, comprising film producers, distributors and companies engaged in post production and virtual reality effects,” he said. He added that the Commission offers 30 per cent cash rebate on production costs incurred in the Netherlands.

Portugal, too, is aiming to attract to filmmakers and tourists from India. “We bear the hotel and ground arrangement costs of filmmakers who visit Portugal for a recee. Of course, there is a condition.   The filmmakers need to submit their project to us and the film must help in promoting Portugal,” said Miguel Moraes, marketing director of Portugal Tourism. Portugal also offers 25 per cent tax rebate on production costs.

Last year, Portugal attracted 12 million foreign visitors, a majority of whom came from other European countries. Over 40,000 Indians visited Portugal. “We are trying to promote Portugal as a standalone destination. Most Indians visit Europe in a group tour covering several countries and we are trying to promote Portugal as a separate destination,” said Luis Arajuo, president of Portugal Tourism.