Srinagar expected to host G20 tourism track meeting in May

Monday, January 9, 2023

Srinagar is likely to host one of the G20 tourism track meetings, The Indian Express has learnt. Around 215 G20 meetings have been planned. Out of these, there will be four tourism working group meetings.

Sources told The Indian Express that the third meeting will be held between May 22 and 24 and Srinagar is being considered to be the host.

Keeping the weather in mind, the months of April-June have been shortlisted for Srinagar and Leh, when the region is at its scenic best, the sources said. While Leh has been shortlisted for the Youth 20 Inception meeting in April, Srinagar is likely to host the tourism working group meet in the last week of May, they added.

Notably, first meeting will be held early next month at Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. The second meeting will be held between April 3 and 5 in Siliguri/Darjeeling. The fourth ministerial meeting will be held in Goa from June 19-22.

A PTI report quoted Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Pandurang Kundbarao Pole as saying that the administration is making arrangements for the Srinagar meet. “Srinagar is likely to host one of the G20 events for which we are preparing in advance,” he told the agency. Pole said the administration was sprucing up the city for the event in May as it will go a long way in boosting tourism in Kashmir, while at the same time clearing the misgivings about the situation in the Valley.

For this, hotel staff, tour operators and emergency-service providers are also being sensitised, sources told The Indian Express.

“The idea is to cover and showcase the geographical expanse of the country – with Gujarat in the west to Siliguri in the north-east, going up till the northernmost regions,” The Indian Express reported based on an official source.

The Indian Express reported that the agenda for the G20 tourism track focuses on five priority areas — “green tourism” – for a sustainable, responsible and resilient tourism sector; “digitalisation” – harnessing technology to promote competitiveness, inclusion and sustainability; “skill training” to youth for employment and entrepreneurship; “nurturing tourism-related MSMEs and start-ups” and “destination management” – strategic management of destinations with a holistic approach.

As many as 215 meetings will be held during India’s G20 presidency, covering 56 locations across the country. India’s special invitee guest countries include Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and UAE, while the members comprise 19 countries — Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Mexico, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States — and the European Union.

From December 1, 2022, India’s turn at the rotating presidency of G-20 commenced. This Presidency is being seen by the top brass government officials as a golden chance to tap into the country’s booming tourism potential.

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