G20 working group meeting in Srinagar draws excellent response from all member nations

The picturesque Kashmir in India's north is hosting its first-ever G20 meeting in the run-up to the Group of 20 nations' summit later this year in New Delhi. All the arrangements have been made by the Jammu and Kashmir administration with regard to the event as well as the security of the venue in Srinagar.

While addressing a press conference in Srinagar,Secretaryof the Ministry of Tourism,ArvindSingh said that the stage is set for discussions and deliberations on final deliverables and there are two key deliverables of the Tourism Working Group, which include GOA Roadmap for Tourism as a vehicle for achieving sustainabledevelopment goals (SDGs) and G20 Tourism Ministers' Declaration.

He also added that this is the only working group meeting taking place in Srinagar as part of the G20 effort with excellent response from all the member countries, all the invited countries and the international organisations, having the highest participation registered compared to the first two Tourism Working Group Meetings atRannof Kutch andSiliguri.

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''G20 member countries, invited countries, and international organisations 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,ArvindSingh.

The third Tourism Working Group Meeting’ will deliberate on the five key priority areas namely Green Tourism, Digitalisation, Skills, MSMEs and Destination Management. These priorities are key building blocks for accelerating the transition of the tourism sector andachievingthe targets for 2030 SDGs.

'‘Film Tourism for Economic Growth and Cultural Preservation’ will be organized on the 22nd and 23rd of 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. He also said that a draft ‘National Strategy on Film Tourism’ will be unveiled to provide a roadmap for harnessing the role of films in promoting tourist destinations,'' saidSecretary, Ministry of Tourism,ArvindSingh.

About 300 new tourist destinations will come upin Jammu and Kashmir seeing an influx of tourists with each destination providing enough to the tourists.This G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in Srinagar aims to strengthen economic growth, preserve cultural heritage, and promote sustainable development of the region.

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''It is the vision of Prime Minister ShriNarendraModithat the message of India’s G20 Presidency is taken to thegrassrootslevel through active JanBhagidari. ShriShringlaappreciated the efforts of the Jammu and Kashmir Government to sensitise the people about the goals and purpose of G20 through multiple public activities,'' saidHarshVardhanShringla, Chief Coordinator G20.

During the third Tourism Working Group meeting, the delegates will also visit the Art and Craft Bazaar organized by the State Government showcasing local handicrafts, 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.

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