India hosted the 2nd G20 Tourism Working Group (TWG) Meeting to promote sustainable tourism and achieve SDGs. The meeting discussed the five priority areas of the Tourism Working Group and held a panel discussion on ‘Adventure Tourism as a vehicle for achieving SDGs.‘
THE 2nd G20 TWG Meeting under India’s ongoing G20 Presidency has successfully concluded in Siliguri and Darjeeling in West Bengal. The meeting brought together over 130 participants, including delegates from G20 members, guest countries, invited International Organisations, industry partners, and local tour operators. The meeting focused on five priority areas, namely:
– Green Tourism
– Digitalisation
– Skills
– Tourism MSMEs
– Destination Management.
The delegates shared their experiences, best practices, and learnings from initiatives and policies of their respective countries, while discussing a potential roadmap to link the Tourism sector with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
During the working sessions, G20 delegates held detailed discussions on each of the five priority areas of TWG, while sharing their experiences, best practices and learnings from initiatives and policies of their respective countries. They deliberated and focussed on leveraging tourism-development for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and developing a potential roadmap. The panel discussion on ‘Adventure Tourism as a vehicle for achieving SDGs’ showcased case studies from various countries, including India’s state of Uttarakhand, which highlighted the transformative power of adventure tourism in achieving SDGs.
On the sidelines, G20 delegates participated in various activities involving ‘Janbhagidari’ and experienced the local arts, crafts, and culture of the region. The delegates also flagged-off a Himalayan Drive Car Rally in Siliguri, highlighting the vast tourism potential of the region. The famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, provided an unforgettable experience to the delegates.
The 2nd G20 TWG Meeting under India’s G20 Presidency was a platform for engaging discussions among the participating delegations on sustainable and responsible growth of the tourism sector. The meeting marked a significant step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through green, inclusive, and resilient tourism-development. India’s commitment to ensuring sustainable and responsible growth of the tourism sector was reiterated by Union Minister for Tourism, Culture and Development of North Eastern Region Shri G. Kishan Reddy during the meeting.
Sourced from G20 site
