3rd Tourism Working Group meeting of G20 begins in Srinagar

Srinagar: In Jammu and Kashmir, the 3rd Tourism Working Group meeting of the G20 began in Srinagar yesterday.

The proceedings started with a side event on Film Tourism for Economic Growth and Cultural Preservation which was attended by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, G Kishen Reddy, Minister of State in the PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh, India's G20 Sherpa, Amitabh Kant, G20 chief coordinator, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, secretary I&B Ministry, Apurva Chandra, famous actor, Ram Charan, and others.

While addressing the gathering, Minister of Tourism and Culture, G Kishen Reddy described Srinagar as one of India's oldest and beautiful city.  He said that the Government's aim is to revive film tourism not just in J&K but across India and also promote eco-tourism. He said India offers every kind of location to the filmmakers and the government is striving hard to make a comprehensive plan for tourism development, economic growth, and cultural preservation. 

Mr. Reddy said that films have great potential to attract tourists from across the globe. He said that film-induced tourism helps in boosting many other sectors like hospitality, transportation, etc. He said that film tourism isn't just showcasing beautiful locations but also ensures cultural preservation,



promotion of talent, and boosting of economy of the region.

In his address, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the event is a moment of rejuvenation and reincarnation. He listed a number of films that have been shot in Kashmir before 1990. He said that J&K provides a natural destination for filmmakers and is cost-effective as well. Dr. Singh said that J&K has contributed hugely to the India film industry in the past.

Speaking on the occasion, India’s G20 Sherpa, Amitabh Kant said that Kashmir has a huge potential for film tourism. He informed that 370 filmmakers have sought permission to shoot films in Kashmir, and the Government of India and the UT administration will go out of their way to facilitate the filmmakers.

Later on, the event saw an offside conversation between film actor of Naatu Naatu Song fame Konidela Ram Charan, and film critic Mayank Sharma. During the conversation, the actor talked about his journey in the film industry and also about the success graph of his blockbuster film RRR. The actor said that he used to come to Kashmir since his childhood.

The event culminated with an onstage performance of Natu Natu song by Ram Charan and South Korea’s ambassador to India Jae Bok Chang.