"Tourism Can Contribute to Economic Transformation & Rural Development": Union Minister at TWG G20 Meeting

The 1st Tourism Working Group Meeting under G20 hosted by the Ministry of Tourism began today with a side event of panel discussion on 'Rural Tourism for Community Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation'. G.K Reddy, Union Minister for Culture, Tourism, and DoNER, delivered the keynote address at today's side event.

The delegates were greeted warmly, colourfully, and traditionally, with performances by folk artists at Bhuj Airport and Dhordo, Rann of Kutch tent city. Representatives from Indonesia, Italy, Spain, Japan, the ILO, and UNEP participated in the panel discussion. Representatives from the governments of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Nagaland, as well as OYO and the Global Himalayan Expedition, took part in the discussion from India. Discussions and presentations were held on a variety of topics, including women's empowerment through homestays, community-based ecotourism, and the Rann of Kutch's rural tourism model.

In his keynote address, Union Minister for Culture, Tourism, and DoNER G.K Reddy stated that India's assumption of the G20 presidency at this critical juncture in the world's history is an honour and a responsibility. During India's G20 presidency, the Union Minister also emphasized the importance of tourism as a vehicle for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

G.K Reddy, quoting Mahatma Gandhi, stated that "the soul of India lives in its villages," and thus by showcasing our villages, we are showcasing our country's way of life, spiritual and cultural heritage, and natural beauty. G.K Reddy also stated that self-sufficient villages will lead to a self-sufficient India. According to G.K Reddy, tourism has the potential to generate the greatest number of jobs with the least amount of investment, and thus tourism can be a positive force for economic transformation, rural development, and community well-being.

The Union Minister stated that Indian villages are already receiving global recognition for rural tourism, citing Pochampally village in Telangana as one of the best tourism villages by UNWTO. G.K Reddy also emphasised the importance of tourism in enabling the sale of local products and services, empowering youth to become entrepreneurs, employing women and dis-advantaged communities such as tribals, and ultimately leading to community empowerment and poverty alleviation.

Union Minister informed that the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has for the first time developed a draught National strategy and roadmap for the development of Rural Tourism, which is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji's vision of "Self-Reliant India" or 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. The panellists delivered presentations and led discussions on best practises, success stories, prospects, opportunities, and issues in rural tourism.

More than 100 delegates are in Dhordo, Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, for the first Tourism Working Group meeting. During India's G-20 presidency, five priority areas in the tourism sector were identified as key building blocks for accelerating the tourism sector's transition and meeting the targets for the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Green Tourism ("Greening of the tourism sector for a sustainable, responsible, and resilient tourism sector"); Digitalization ("Harnessing the power of digitalization to promote competitiveness, inclusion, and sustainability in the tourism sector"); Skills ("Empowering youth with skills for jobs and entrepreneurship in the tourism sector"); Tourism MSMEs ("Nurturing tourism MSMEs / Startups/ private sector to unleash innovation and dynamism in the tourism sector"); and Decarbonization ("Decarbonization of the tourism sector").

The main event tomorrow will be attended by G. Kishan Reddy, Minister of Tourism, Culture, and DONER; Union Minister Parshottam Rupala, Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying; and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra bhai Patel. Senior delegates from G20 member countries, invitee countries, and international organisations would attend.

Four G20 tourism track meetings are taking place in various locations, including Rann of Kutch, Silugiri, Goa, and a location in North India. At the conclusion of the summit, a Ministerial level Communique outlining the direction that the various countries have agreed to take during G20 meetings will be presented. The various locations chosen for G20 events will have distinct flavours such as rural, archaeological, and historical.

In addition to the four G20 Tourism Track meetings, three mega events are planned to promote tourism during the G20 meetings. The Ministry plans to hold the first Global Tourism Investors' Summit (GTIS) in New Delhi in April/May 2023, as well as the MICE Global Conference in May and the G20 CEO Forum in June.

One of the key highlights of the Rann of Kutch meeting will be showcasing archaeological tourism, as part of which delegates will be taken on an excursion trip to Dholavira, a UNESCO World Heritage site. There will be live demonstrations of local arts and crafts in front of the delegates, and the delegates' farewell gifts will be part of the One District One Product initiative.