The prowess of cinema tourism in generating employment and bringing financial gains to a destination is a fact that needs little elaboration. Its importance in uplifting local communities is being best demonstrated by how it has brought immense benefits to the local populace of the British Columbia. As per media reports, motion pictures created well over 50,000 jobs in the Canadian province. Cinema production, as new numbers released by the province, show a 35 per cent increase in spending compared to last year and the province estimates that $2.6 billion will be spent in 2016-2017, compared to the previous year’s $1.9 billion.
“This is the best year we’ve had,” said Prem Gill, the CEO of Creative B.C – a promoter of film production – speaking to media. Gill shared that the increase was tied to a global demand for shows and movies not only in theatres but also through streaming services such as Netflix. She also added that B.C. was popular as a film location and also for visual effects, animation and other post-production.
The remarkable turnout in the fortunes of B.C was triggered back in 2013 when locals rallied against low employment and tax policies. Stung by protests, later than year, the government increased spending for the film industry. Experts, however, believe that a favourable currency exchange rate has also fuelled Canada’s fortunes.
“[U.S. productions] want to come up here when our dollar is low because they get a better bang for their buck and tax incentives. When dollar starts to climb up, the tax incentives help us out,” said film worker Nathan Jean, speaking to media.
India, too, is home to innumerable exquisite destinations and many of them remain commercially unexplored. Northeast is one such region, ripe with opportunities, and is barely tapped. B.C.’s success should inspire tourism industry stakeholders to inculcate a similar ecosystem favourable for driving cinema tourism.
(Our Source: MPDA. The original article was published in CBC NEWS BRITISH COLUMBIA.)
