G20 Tourism Track Meetings: Unveiling the Roadmap for Sustainable Tourism Development

The government has finalized the agenda and schedule for the upcoming G20 tourism track meetings, as reported by The Indian Express. The first of the four tourism working group meetings is scheduled for early next month at Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. The following meeting will take place between April 3 and 5 in Siliguri/Darjeeling, with the fourth ministerial meeting set for June 19-22. The third meeting, scheduled between May 22 and 24, will be held in hilly locations in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Kashmir. The final decision on the exact location will be made closer to the date.

An official source stated, “The aim is to highlight the geographical diversity of the country—from Gujarat in the west to Siliguri in the north-east, and up to the northernmost regions.”

The agenda for the G20 tourism track, outlined in documents, focuses on five key areas: “green tourism” for sustainability, “digitalisation” for technological advancement, “skill training” for youth employment, “support for tourism-related MSMEs and start-ups”, and “destination management” for strategic planning.

Union Tourism Secretary Arvind Singh mentioned that the G20 tourism working group will assess the current state of the tourism sector in alignment with sustainable development goals. A roadmap for utilizing tourism to achieve SDGs will be proposed by the UNWTO and other related organizations.

Following the ministerial meeting in Goa, an official “Goa Roadmap” will be released, outlining a shared vision for the G20 tourism working group. This roadmap aims to offer guidance on policies, strategies, and practices in the five key areas. Additionally, a ministerial communique will be issued post the Goa meeting.

Preparations are underway for the upcoming tourism track meetings, with officials from the G20 secretariat and Ministry of Tourism conducting site visits. Various locations are being enhanced, including roads, hotels, meeting venues, and tourist spots.

The first meeting at Rann of Kutch from February 7 to 9 will be attended by 31 official delegates, including representatives from G20 member nations and guest countries, as well as international organizations like UNWTO and International Labour Organization.