NEW DELHI, India – Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco has invited India’s film executives to explore the Philippines as a premier filming destination.
Last August 6, Frasco engaged with film executives from Bollylands.com and the National Film Development Corporation of India, and promoted the Philippines as an ideal backdrop for Bollywood films. She showcased the country’s diverse filming locations and outlined the various fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for filmmakers considering shooting in the Philippines.
“Film tourism is a priority product, India is the benchmark for film and film tourism, and we look to forging partnerships and collaborations to be able to pitch the Philippines as a viable film tourism destination for India,” she said, adding that Filipino culinary scenes further enrich narratives, with the Philippines recently featured in “Somebody Feed Phil” for its unique gastronomy.
The country has previously welcomed international productions, including “The Bourne Legacy,” “Almost Paradise,” and “Survivor Series.”
To support filmmakers, the Philippines offers competitive fiscal incentives through the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), including up to seven years of Income Tax Holiday and duty-free importation of film equipment. By partnering with local entities, foreign film outfits can access these benefits.
Through their newly created Office of Film and Sports Tourism (OFST), and their regional offices, Frasco said DOT provides direct support with location scouting and logistical assistance, ensuring seamless access to diverse landscapes and historical sites.
The DOT’s OFST is dedicated to supporting film productions highlighting stunning tourist destinations in the Philippines. It assists filmmakers in identifying suitable locations for their projects, ensuring that they capture the essence of beautiful Philippine landscapes.
Additionally, it aims to integrate the Filipinization initiative of the Department by showcasing local culture, cuisine, festivals, and traditional crafts that distinctly represent the Philippines. These films not only tell compelling stories but also inspire viewers to travel and explore the destinations featured on screen.
“Local filming is one that is growing at an immensely fast rate, and we would also be able to offer assistance in terms of liaising with these local film production companies. Beyond the fiscal incentives the government is able to offer, are non-fiscal incentives, such as location scouting, processing of permits, liaising with local government units, and logistical assistance,” the DOT chief said.
“One of the major advantages of the Philippines, apart from our natural hospitality, is the fact that we are an English-speaking population. Our faculty for English, sets us apart from other filming locations in the ASEAN. With this ease of communication, as well as a host of highly skilled production crew, there’s a lot of opportunities for collaboration and filmmaking,” she pointed out.
Frasco said the improved connectivity between India and the Philippines will shortly materialize with Air India’s offer of direct flights from New Delhi to Manila, that will reduce travel time to just six hours. With visa-free entry for 150 countries, including India, the Philippines is more accessible than ever for filmmakers, she added.
“The good news is that our government has made it infinitely easier to come to the Philippines with direct flights via Air India, starting October 1, flying five times a week, and with our government actively seeking more connections from other cities to other islands in the Philippines, not just Manila,” Frasco noted.
“In addition to this, the more good news is that Indians can now go to the Philippines visa-free, and that will be for 14 days, and for certain other visa holders, that can extend to up to 30 days,” she added.