Bollywood fans boost tourism in Britain

- Planet Bollywood Special Correspondant           Let us know what you think about this story

Though, separate figures for Indian films-related tourism are not available, but its thousands of tourists visiting UK every year have made a contribution of whopping 1.8 billion pounds, says a report 'Stately Attraction - How Film and television programmes Promote Tourism in the UK'.

The report was commissioned by the UK Film Council.

Films like "Harry Potter" series, "The Da Vinci Code", "Gosford Park" and "Pride & Prejudice" and television programmes including "Balamory and Monarch of the Glen" have been identified as a major booster for tourism in the country.

"Effect of film tourism was long lasting. British films and television programmes play a powerful role in showcasing the UK to the rest of the world and increased tourism," said John Woodward, chief executive, UK Film Council.

"Bend it like Beckham," a film by Indian-origin director Gurinder Chaddha, raised the profile of Britain in India, south Asia and the Far East. It suddenly placed the west London town of Southall on the international tourist map.

It was the first commercial Western film to be shown in North Korea and in China and changed the perception of Britain. The film also prompted a surge of interest in women's football including the founding of the first women's football league in India, the report says.

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