Goa is one the best-known global tourist destinations and is the perfect grand finale for the Tourism Working Group meeting of G20 said Secretary, Tourism, Smt. V. Vidyavathi at a media briefing in Goa on 18th June, 2023. She said that Goa offers a host of experiences including beaches, heritage monuments, ecotourism, beautiful landscape, and rich culture and therefore is the best location to host the final meeting of the tourism working group.
She also added, “Under India’s G20 Tourism Track, the Tourism Working Group is working on five inter-connected priority areas, which are Green Tourism, Digitalisation, Skills, Tourism MSMEs, and Destination Management. These priorities are key building blocks for accelerating the transition of the tourism sector and achieving the targets for 2030 SDGs. During the concluding meeting, G20 member countries, invited countries, and international organisations would welcome and endorse the nearly finalised versions of both the document.”
The two key deliverables of the Tourism Working Group are GOA Roadmap for tourism as a vehicle for achieving sustainable development goals and G20 Tourism Ministers’ Declaration. The Ministry of Tourism has made positive progress on finalising the two key deliverables of the Tourism Working Group. The focus of the discussions at the working groups has remained Sustainable Tourism, Smt V Vidyavathi reiterated.
Side Events
Speaking on the side events, she said that interesting side events on cruise tourism are planned on the theme ‘Making Cruise Tourism a Model for Sustainable & Responsible Travel’ and are being organised on 19th June 2023, focusing on strategies to promote cruise tourism.
She added “The event will see the participation of G20 member countries, invited countries, international organisations, and industry stakeholders. The event will witness deliberations on the challenges and opportunities in the growth of cruise tourism globally. A panel discussion featuring esteemed speakers from G20 Member countries and guest countries will shed light on country specific policies and initiatives on varied aspects of cruise tourism, its growth and need to make cruise tourism sustainable and responsible.”
Giving further details, Smt Vidyavathi said that a ‘Public Private Dialogue: Importance of Travel & Tourism to the G20 Economies’ is also being co-organised by the Ministry of Tourism in Goa on 21st June 2023 in association with World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The concluding and last G20 Tourism Working Group meeting along with the Tourism Ministerial Meeting, is being held from 19th to 22nd June 2023 in Goa. Side events on crucial initiatives of Cruise Tourism, Global Tourism Plastic Initiative and Public Private Sector are also being organised by the Ministry of Tourism, GOI on the side lines.
Other happenings
A special Yoga session has been planned on the occasion of ‘International Day of Yoga’ on June 21, which coincides with the G20 4th Tourism Working Group Meeting and Tourism Ministerial Meeting by the State Government of Goa. Art and Craft Bazaars are being organised by the State Government showcasing local handicrafts and artisans, signifying the importance of community participation. DIY Activities at the Craft Bazaar have been planned to give hands-on experience. The ODOP products of Goa would be presented as souvenirs to the delegates for promotion of local crafts.
