iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
The third G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting will be held in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir from 22 to 24 May 2023. The meeting is focused on two deliverables – GOA Roadmap for Tourism as a vehicle for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) and G20 Tourism Ministers’ Declaration.
The move to hold the G20 meeting in the trouble-torn region is being seen as a measure taken by the Indian government to impress upon global leaders that normalcy has been restored in Jammu & Kashmir. The G20 event also presents a unique opportunity to highlight the tourism potential and cultural richness of the region. Though, in April 2023 an army truck was attacked by subversives in the Poonch district in which five soldiers were killed.
This is the only G20 working group meeting taking place in Srinagar. The Ministry of Tourism of GOI issued a statement in which it claimed that they have received an “excellent response from all the member countries, all the invited countries, and the international organizations.” Officials of the tourism ministry claimed that this meeting will witness the highest participation as compared to the first two Tourism Working Group Meetings at Rann of Kutch and Siliguri.
“G20 member countries, invited countries, and international organizations will give valuable inputs and feedback on these two draft documents and after negotiations with G20 Member Countries on these drafts, final versions will be placed in the ‘Fourth Tourism Working Group Meeting’,” said Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arvind Singh at a press conference at SKICC Srinagar on May 21.
The third Tourism Working Group Meeting will deliberate on five priority points – Green Tourism, Digitalization, Skills, MSMEs, and Destination Management. “These priorities are key building blocks for accelerating the transition of the tourism sector and achieving the targets for 2030 SDGs,” added Singh.
A side event on ‘Film Tourism for Economic Growth and Cultural Preservation’ will be organized on 22 and 23 May 2023, focusing on strategies to promote film tourism in J&K. The event will witness the participation of G20 member countries, invited countries, international organizations, and industry stakeholders. A draft ‘National Strategy on Film Tourism’ will be unveiled to provide a roadmap for harnessing the role of films in promoting tourist destinations.
Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Chief Coordinator of G20 lauded the efforts of the J&K government to sensitize the people about the goals and purpose of G20 through multiple public activities. Chief Secretary of J&K, Arun Mehta said that the change in J&K is evident with the arrival of the highest number of tourists – 18.8 million – in 2022. He also said that 300 new tourist destinations will come up in the state. “Influx of the high number of foreign tourists to Jammu & Kashmir is a healthy sign for tourism in the state,” he added.
During the 3rd Tourism Working Group meeting, the delegates will also visit the Art and Craft Bazaar organized by the state government showcasing local handicrafts, and the work of artisans, signifying the importance of community participation. The delegates will also have a hands-on experience through DIY Activities at the Craft Bazaar. The Ministry of Tourism will also promote local products of Jammu & Kashmir by gifting souvenirs to delegates from the ODOP like Paper Mache Box, Saffron from Pampore, Kawa Cups and Brass Spoon, Walnuts from Anantnag, Shopian and Kupwara.
