At the recently concluded 4th Tourism Working Group Meeting in Goa yesterday, the G20 economies embraced the unveiled “Goa Roadmap for Tourism as a Vehicle for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” developed by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
According to the global organisation, the roadmap aims to position tourism as a central pillar of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It presents a comprehensive plan of action to drive progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As the knowledge partner of India’s G20 Presidency, UNWTO presented the Goa Roadmap during the meeting of Tourism Ministers from the world’s leading economies and the India delegation chaired by the Union Tourism Minister, G Kishan Reddy, Tourism Secretary, V Vidyavathi, among others.
This significant milestone, occurring midway between the launch of the 2030 Agenda in 2015 and the deadline for its achievement, calls upon G20 Tourism Ministers to take the lead in accelerating progress towards the SDGs.
The Goa Roadmap, developed in collaboration with the G20 Tourism Working Group, addresses key priority areas identified under India’s G20 Presidency, in promoting sustainable practices within the tourism sector, besides their proposed actions.
In recognition of the urgent need for climate action and environmental protection, the roadmap places great significance on ‘green tourism’. It integrates recommendations on financing, sustainable infrastructure, circular approaches in the tourism value chain, and active participation of visitors in sustainability initiatives. By incorporating these measures, the roadmap aims to align tourism practices with global environmental goals, ensuring a more sustainable future.
Embracing ‘digitalisation’ is another crucial aspect emphasised by the roadmap. It highlights the transformative benefits that digital technologies can bring to the tourism industry. By leveraging digital advancements, such as enhanced productivity, streamlined infrastructure management, and improved visitor experiences in terms of safety and efficiency, the tourism sector can adapt to changing demands and foster sustainable growth.
Recognising the importance of ‘talent development’ within the tourism sector, the roadmap underscores the need to equip tourism workers, particularly youth and women, with the necessary skills to meet industry demands. By investing in skills development, the roadmap aims to make tourism a more attractive career choice and ensure a skilled workforce that can drive sustainable practices within the industry.
The Minister informed that the final meeting of the G20 Tourism Working Group will contribute actionable points and recommendations for national and international governments, as well as other stakeholders in the tourism industry, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. He also spoke about the Goa Roadmap and government’s efforts to encourage and enhance cruise tourism.
Given that ‘Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)’ account for 80 per cent of global tourism businesses, according to UNWTO, the roadmap emphasises the significance of addressing challenges faced by these enterprises. It stresses the need for public policies and partnerships to tackle issues such as financing, marketing, skills gaps, and market access, particularly during the transitions to digital and sustainable practices. Supporting the growth and resilience of MSMEs is crucial for fostering sustainable tourism development.Destination management, the fifth priority, is a part of the roadmap which proposes a holistic approach to emphasising collaboration among public, private, and community stakeholders. It showcases successful programs and initiatives from G20 and invited countries as examples of effective destination management practices. By promoting strong partnerships and adopting integrated strategies, destinations can maximise their potential while ensuring sustainable development, reiterated UNWTO.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili expressed the importance of ensuring sustainable, inclusive and resilient recovery for the tourism sector, as it bounces back to pre-pandemic levels. He emphasised that the Goa Roadmap provides the G20 economies with a comprehensive plan of action to pave the way for a better future aligned with the SDGs.
G. Kishan Reddy, India’s Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Development of North Eastern Region, added that tourism can address various societal challenges while transforming itself to address socio-economic impacts. He asserted the significance of collaborative efforts in developing a common roadmap for recovery and long-term sustainability, unlocking the immense potential of tourism to contribute to the SDGs.
The Tourism Ministerial Meeting in Goa yesterday also released the outcome document and chair’s summary, besides the roadmap. According to the Ministry of Tourism,Govt of India, ‘the outcome document and Goa Roadmap for Tourism was welcomed by the G20 Ministers.’
With the G20 economies representing a significant portion of global GDP, trade, and population, their adoption of the Goa Roadmap holds immense potential to drive sustainable development through tourism, according to UNWTO.
In 2022, G20 economies welcomed 74 per cent international tourists and accounted for a significant share of global tourism exports. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the tourism sector’s direct GDP contribution reached 3.7 per cent of G20 economies, UNWTO shared.
