By PIB Delhi | 27 SEP 2023 | Tourism, Sustainability
On the occasion of World Tourism Day 2023, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), organized the Global Launch of ‘Travel for LiFE’ at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, today.
Shri. Ajay Bhatt, Minister of State of Tourism and Defence, along with key officials, highlighted the program’s significance in promoting sustainable tourism. The initiative is part of Mission LiFE and aligns with global efforts for a sustainable future, as demonstrated in the recent G20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi.
‘Travel for LiFE’ encourages travelers, businesses, and citizens to adopt responsible travel practices, emphasizing environmental respect and cultural appreciation. It sets a course towards a sustainable planet Earth within the framework of Mission LiFE.
Ms. V. Vidhyavathi, Secretary (Tourism), provided an overview of the program, emphasizing its role in conserving the environment, supporting local economies, and preserving socio-cultural integrity. The program aims to foster mindful resource utilization across the tourism value chain.
Ms. Leena Nandan emphasized the need for sustainable lifestyles, emphasizing that climate change challenges require collective efforts at governmental, organizational, and individual levels.
During the event, Shri. Rakesh Kumar Verma, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, highlighted the vital role of tourism and culture in sustainable socio-economic development, as underscored in the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration.
The launch encompassed two verticals: Travel for LiFE for Cleanliness, a national campaign aligned with the Swachhata campaign, and Travel for LiFE for Rural Tourism, promoting sustainable rural tourism and empowering rural communities.
The program contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focusing on Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Life Below Water (SDG 14).
Additionally, a national competition titled ‘Tourism for Tomorrow’ was launched, aligning with the key priorities of the Goa Roadmap, recognizing and supporting SDG-driven Tourism Best Practices in India.
A design challenge competition for affiliated Institutes of Hotel Management, under the Ministry of Tourism, aims to develop innovative solutions in the field of edible cutlery.
In tandem with the Swachchta campaign, a cleanliness drive is set to commence at 108 tourist locations, targeting garbage cleaning, sanitation, and the reduction of Single Use Plastic (SUP).
The event also saw the Best Rural Tourism Village Awards, honoring villages for their cultural preservation and sustainable development through tourism. 35 villages were recognized across Gold, Silver, and Bronze Categories.
The global launch was virtually attended by international organizations, G20 member countries, industry representatives, and State Governments.
