Ahead of India hosting the G20 meetings, the country’s infrastructure preparedness for hosting international meetings was highlighted by the Ministry of Tourism recently.
More than 55 Indian destinations hosting G20 meetings, will showcase the country’s capabilities and will set the stage for promoting MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism in the country, said the Tourism Secretary, V Vidyavathi.
She mentioned that the Ministry of Tourism would now actively promote MICE tourism in destinations where G20 meetings have been held.
Speaking to the media in New Delhi yesterday, the secretary mentioned about the recently concluded G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting and Ministerial Meeting held in Goa from June 19 and 22, 2023, which also witnessed the endorsement of the “Goa Roadmap,” setting the stage for sustainable tourism initiatives.
She briefed the media on the outcomes, emphasising the five priorities outlined in the Goa Roadmap: Green Tourism, Digitalisation, Skills, Tourism MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises), and Destination Management.
The five priorities of the roadmap are expected to guide not only India but also the entire global tourism industry towards sustainable practices.
Secretary Vidyavathi noted that a whole-of-government approach would be adopted in India, ensuring that the five priorities are shared with central ministries and state governments for effective implementation.
The “Goa Roadmap for Tourism” is intended to provide voluntary tools and recommendations to national governments, G20 countries, and other tourism stakeholders to harness the potential of the tourism sector in advancing sustainable development. The roadmap emphasises the importance of responsible consumption and aims to sensitise tourists to make sustainable choices.
It also aligns with the “Travel for LiFE” initiative launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, which advocates for lifestyle changes that promote environmental conservation.
During all the working group meetings held at Rann of Kutch, Siliguri, Srinagar and Goa, various thematic discussions were held on diverse tourism segments, including archaeological tourism, rural tourism, adventure tourism, film tourism, and cruise tourism. These discussions provided a platform for exchanging ideas, sharing best practices, and addressing challenges and opportunities in each sector, said Vidyavathi.
The participants, including G20 member countries, invited countries, and international organisations, recognised the efforts put forth in finalising the Goa Roadmap for Tourism.
On the sidelines of Goa event, the Ministry of Tourism signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbnb to jointly promote India as a sought-after tourism destination. The collaboration aims to position India as an attractive choice for global travellers and leverage the digital platform to enhance tourism experiences.
Thematic events were organised alongside the G20 meetings to delve deeper into specific topics including discussions on making cruise tourism sustainable and responsible, circular economy practices in plastic waste management within the tourism value chain, the importance of travel and tourism to the G20 economies, and making India a hub for cruise tourism.
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 tourism delegation. This significant milestone, occurring midway between the launch of the 2030 Agenda in 2015 and the deadline for its achievement, calls upon the ministers to take the lead in accelerating progress towards Sustainable Development Goals.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed the Tourism Ministerial Meeting through a video message, highlighting India’s commitment to preserving its rich heritage while simultaneously developing world-class infrastructure for tourism. The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of the tourism sector in promoting economic growth, generating employment opportunities, and showcasing India’s cultural diversity to the world.
The 4th Tourism Working Group Meeting and Ministerial Meeting concluded with positive remarks from all the Ministers and Heads of Delegations from G20 member countries, guest countries, and international organisations, informed the secretary.
“The Goa Roadmap for Tourism was widely acknowledged as a valuable tool for advancing sustainable tourism practices,” she added.
Additionally, a “Public-Private Dialogue” in association with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) took place. This dialogue offered participants an opportunity to share their priorities, concerns, and explore possibilities for greater public-private partnership. The discussions aligned with the five priority areas of the Tourism Working Group and facilitated collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Furthermore, in celebration of the International Day of Yoga, a special yoga session was organised by the Goa state government at Raj Bhawan. The delegates were also taken for post-event excursions to Aguada Fort, Basilica Bom Jesus, among others and were familiarised with the local art and handicrafts at a DIY bazaar set up by the state government.
