G20 keen on 5 priority segments in tourism

New Delhi The Ministers of Tourism of G20 member countries have identified five priority areas of green tourism, digitization, skills development, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and destination management.

The Ministers, who recently met in Goa, decided to work towards the full recovery of tourism from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. They want to advance the role of tourism in accelerating the implementation of the United Nations-2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the achievement of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

They also supported the vision of placing tourism high in the national and international agendas and processes related to the implementation of the SDGs and express the importance of working together in this direction, official sources told Bizz Buzz.

The Ministers’ grouping recognized the importance of advancing the concept of Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) which focuses on conserving our planet precious natural resources through the application of the circular approaches of reduce, reuse and recycle and living in harmony with nature through the efforts of individuals and populations resulting in a global mass movement of positive behavioral change that could serve as an accelerator for achieving the SDGs in the tourism sector.

The Ministers recognized the need for tourism policies to: advance sustainability in infrastructure and operations; create decent and sustainable jobs; mainstream climate action to reduce emissions and encourage circular approaches; support biodiversity conservation and environment and climate friendly tourism; protect, empower, and engage local residents and vulnerable groups, such as youth, women, local communities and indigenous peoples and persons with disabilities in tourism development; and advance visitors’ action for sustainable tourism in the spirit of the Travel for LiFE.

They reaffirmed the transformative impact of digital technologies on tourism.

Goa Meet

• G20 meeting held in Goa
• Decision to advance tourism role in implementation of UN-2030 Agenda
• Generating sustainable jobs
• Promoting climate friendly tourism
• Engaging local residents in tourism