Indian filmmakers were recently encouraged by Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco to film in the country’s breathtaking destinations.

In her meeting with film executives from Bollylands.com and the National Film Development Corporation of India last week in New Delhi, Frasco pitched the Philippines as an ideal backdrop for Bollywood films, highlighting the country's diverse filming locations and outlining various fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for filmmakers considering shooting in the country.

“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.

The country’s rich culinary scene further enhances storytelling potential, with the Philippines recently featured in Somebody Feed Phil for its unique gastronomy. The Philippines has also hosted international productions such as 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. Foreign production companies can access these benefits by partnering with local entities.

According to Frasco, through its newly created Office of Film and Sports Tourism (OFST) and its regional offices, the Department of Tourism provides direct support for location scouting and logistical assistance, ensuring seamless access to diverse landscapes and historical sites.

The OFST is dedicated to promoting film productions that feature stunning Philippine destinations, assisting filmmakers in identifying suitable locations, and ensuring they capture the essence of the country’s landscapes. It also aims to integrate the Department’s Filipinization initiative by showcasing local culture, cuisine, festivals, and traditional crafts that distinctly represent the Philippines.

“Local filming 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 that the government can offer are the non-fiscal incentives, such as location scouting, the processing of permits, liaising with local government units, logistical assistance,” stressed Frasco.

As one of the largest English-speaking nations, the Philippines facilitates smooth collaboration with international film crews.

“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 ASEAN. And therefore, with this ease of communication, as well as a host of highly skilled production crew, there are a lot of opportunities for collaboration and filmmaking,” Frasco said.

Moreover, she highlighted improved connectivity between India and the Philippines, noting that Air India now offers direct flights from New Delhi to Manila, reducing travel time to just six hours.