The 4th G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting Begins In Goa

The fourth and concluding G20 Tourism Working Group meeting begins at Goa, followed by Tourism Ministerial Meeting, starting 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 organized by Ministry of Tourism, GOI on the sidelines of the main Tourism Working Group meeting, involving delegates from G20 member countries, central government Ministries, various State Governments, and International Organizations. 

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.

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, Digitalization, 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 organizations would welcome and endorse the nearly finalized 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. Ministry of Tourism has made positive progress on finalizing 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.

In line with the aspirations and ongoing work of the G20 Tourism Working Group, the Ministry of Tourism announces the upcoming launch of the G20 Tourism and SDG Dashboard in collaboration with UNWTO, co-creating the GOA Roadmap for tourism, under India’s G20 Presidency.

This online dashboard is aimed to leverage tourism’s potential in accelerating the progress for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030. The public dashboard will showcase the best practices and case studies from G20 countries based on the five priorities of the G20 Tourism Working Group.

During the meeting tenure, 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. Delegates will have the opportunity to experience the rich heritage of tourist attractions of Goa. Excursion visits have been planned to the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the State.

Art and Craft Bazaars are being organized by the State Government showcasing local handicrafts and artisans, signifying the importance of community participation. DIY activities at the Craft Bazaar have also been planned to give hands on experience. The ODOP products of Goa would be presented as souvenirs to the delegates for the promotion of local crafts.