Green tourism, skills tourism, destination management and digitalization are the four key deliverables that emerged from the three previous G20 Tourism Working Group meetings and will be discussed in the concluding G20 Tourism Work Group being held in Goa from tomorrow, June 19, 2023.
“The Goa roadmap for tourism will be defined and drafted in Goa during the last G20 meeting where tourism as a vehicle for sustainable developmental goals will be outlined,” stated V Vidyavathi, Secretary of Tourism, Government of India.
“The Goa roadmap has emerged in the last three conferences held in other States of the country and it is going to be finalised in the next few days," added Vidyavathi addressing a press conference on Sunday.
“I am not sure whether China is attending the meeting,” said Rakesh Verma, Additional Secretary of Tourism, Government of India whilst confirming that Russia is participating.
The Goa roadmap has emerged in the last three conferences held in other States of the country and it is going to be finalised in the next few days
V Vidyavathi, Secretary of Tourism, Government of India
“There are no restrictions on visas to tourists after the pandemic. There are no problems regarding issuing of visas,” declared Rakesh to a question on visas being a hurdle for foreigners deciding to visit India.
Cruise tourism is one focal draw of the last three meetings and the last meeting in Goa will be deliberating on strategies to promote cruise tourism in the country, suggested Vidyavathi.
To foster a sustainable cruise tourism model, delegates will be focusing on strategies to promote cruise tourism. The event is expected to witness deliberations on the challenges and opportunities in the growth of cruise tourism globally.
“The purpose of the Goa roadmap is to make tourism sustainable where all can benefit with an eye on the future,” stated Vidyavathi.
The last G20 Working Group Meeting will host a public-private dialogue which is being co-organised by the Ministry of Tourism in Goa in association with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
It is expected to give participants an opportunity to share their priorities and concerns and identify opportunities for mutual support and greater private-public partnership.
The Government of Goa has organised a special yoga session on the occasion of International Day of Yoga - June 21 - for the delegates.
As is customary, delegates will get an opportunity to savour the sights, sounds and flavours of Goa during the visits to world monument sights and other cultural activities lined up.