Swiss Tourism department tying up with Indian film makers

The Switzerland Tourism Department is planning to tie-up with Indian filmmakers through leading tour operators.

"Yash Raj films has already tied up with tour operator SOTC and Brandvest AG, a Switzerland based enterprise, to give Bollywood fans an opportunity to visit places in the European tourist destination where it (Yash Raj Films) has shot some of their movies", Switzerland tourism deputy director Ritu Sharma told mediapersons.

The country is interested to promote their premier destination and allow the movie makers to exploit the scenic beauty by shooting films in the land-locked country, by tying up with travel agents.

She said her department is also working to tap South Indian film market, whose film makers are frequently coming to Switzerland for production.

Stating that the shooting of South Indian films in Switzerland were increasing compared to that of Bollywood films, she said, adding around 20 south Indian films were shot during 2009, while only five Hindi movies were filmed during the same period.

On the Indian tourists arrival to Switzerland, Sharma said there was a steady increase every year. "About 1,27,000 Indian tourists arrived from Jan 2009 to October 2009, an increase of two per cent compared to the same period in previous year."

"This year we are expecting 15 per cent increase in Indian tourist arrival to Switzerland", she said.

An Indian tourist spends around 450 Swiss francs, the highest amount of expenditure among other country travellers, she said.