At G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting in Goa, India makes strong pitch for cultural and heritage tourism

With India going all out to promote itself as a global travel destination, the 4th meeting of the G20 Tourism Working Group being held in Goa saw some interesting discussions on sustainable tourism, cultural heritage, and adventure tourism.

The inaugural session of the meeting was held on June 20, 2023. Those who attended included Union Minister for Tourism, Culture G Kishan Reddy; Ministers of State for Tourism Ajay Bhatt and Shripad Yesso Naik; Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant; and Goa Minister of Tourism in Goa Rohan Khaunte.

Speaking at the event, Reddy stressed the productive G20 Tourism Working Group meetings held around India when that nation held the G20 Presidency. With reference to sites like Shakti Peethas, the Sikh Golden Temple in Amritsar, and the relevance of Buddhism and Jainism, he underlined the value of experiencing India's spiritual power and unique cultural history.

Union Minister Reddy emphasized the government's efforts in promoting tourism since 2014, with PM Narendra Modi acting as a Tourism Ambassador at the global level. He mentioned that India has been a popular destination for self-discovery and cultural experiences throughout history, welcoming visitors from around 200 countries and various faiths.

Reddy also mentioned the significant increase in foreign tourist arrivals to India after the COVID-19 pandemic, with expectations of reaching pre-pandemic levels in 2023. He discussed the government's priorities of sustainable infrastructure creation and raising awareness among tourists about responsible consumption and environmentally conscious lifestyles.

The minister informed the attendees about the G20 Tourism and SDG Dashboard, which aims to promote sustainable, inclusive, and resilient tourism through policies and initiatives by G20 countries and guest countries.

MoS Naik spoke about Goa's appeal as a vibrant tourist destination with its serene landscapes, palm-lined beaches, cultural history, and unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures.

He highlighted the growth of adventure tourism in India and the launch of the National Strategy for Adventure Tourism to position India as a preferred destination in this segment.

After this, MoS Bhatt emphasized the educational and economic benefits of tourism, promoting cultural exchange and community empowerment.

He mentioned the PRASAD scheme for enhancing pilgrimage destinations and heritage cities, as well as the development of rural tourism destinations with a focus on sustainability and the preservation of cultural and natural heritage. Shri Bhatt also highlighted the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative to combat plastic pollution within the tourism industry.

Furthermore, Goa Chief Minister Sawant emphasized Goa's year-round appeal as a tourist destination, offering diverse experiences. He stressed the importance of inclusivity and sustainability in the travel sector. He spoke about Goa's beautiful beaches, thrilling adventure sports, pristine natural landscapes, yoga retreats, culinary delights, and rich culture and heritage.

During the event, a thematic discussion on 'Making India a Hub for Cruise Tourism' was organized in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Speaking at the discussion, Union Minister Reddy highlighted the government's efforts to encourage and improve cruise tourism, with plans to explore India's extensive coastal line of more than 7,500 kilometers.

Additionally, Goa CM Sawant highlighted the state's potential in shipbuilding and the cruise industry, inviting investments to strengthen the cruise tourism sector.

Lastly, MoS Bhatt expressed confidence that, with collaboration and government initiatives, India would establish itself as a global destination for cruise tourism under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.