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| Dr. Sandeep Marwah Highlights Film and Cultural Tourism at ICON Tourism Awards |
New Delhi: At a grand function of the ICON Tourism Awards held at ITC Maurya Sheraton, Dr. Sandeep Marwah, President of Marwah Studios and Chancellor of AAFT University, addressed the distinguished gathering and spoke passionately about the unique concept of Film and Cultural Tourism.
Dr. Marwah recalled how, way back in 1993, he introduced and coined the term Film and Cultural Tourism when he established Marwah Studios at Noida Film City. Since then, the studios have become a hub of international visitors, hosting over 90 million footfalls at Noida Film City and nearly 3 million visitors at Marwah Studios alone, representing 156 countries. This extraordinary achievement has earned Dr. Marwah a World Record for promoting cultural exchange and creative tourism through films and media.
“Film and culture are the biggest ambassadors of any nation. They connect people beyond borders and promote unity, peace, and understanding. By opening Marwah Studios to the world, we created not just a hub of creativity but a destination for cultural tourism. Today, Film and Cultural Tourism has become a recognized movement globally, and I am proud that it began here in India,” said Dr. Sandeep Marwah in his keynote.
The ceremony was presided over by Ms. Jyoti Mayal, President of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), India’s largest and oldest travel and tourism body. She applauded the efforts of industry leaders in strengthening India’s tourism ecosystem and highlighted the importance of innovation and diversification in attracting global travelers.
Mr. Suman Billa, Additional Secretary & Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, also addressed the audience, speaking about India’s vast potential as a tourism destination and the government’s ongoing initiatives to enhance travel infrastructure, cultural experiences, and global partnerships.
The evening celebrated the trailblazers of Indian tourism and recognized the role of visionaries like Dr. Marwah, who have expanded the scope of the industry by blending cinema, culture, and tourism into a powerful tool of international outreach.
