Tourism Working Group in Rann of Kutch

As part of India’s G20 presidency, Gujarat will host the first Tourism Working Group (TWG) meeting in the state’s Rann of Kutch from 7 to 9 February 2023.

How is the G20 Emphasizing Interventions in the Tourism Sector?

• In theG20 Presidency of India, there are 5 interrelated priority areas for tourism. Accordingly, thrust will be on these five priority areas:
  • Greening of the Tourism sector
  • Harnessing the power of digitisation
  • Empowering youth with skills
  • Nurturing tourism MSMEs/ Startups
  • Rethinking the strategic management of destinations.
• Also, one of the priorities through theG20 platform is to reach a consensus on how the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) will be achieved by 2030.
  • As a part of this, there will be emphasis on sustainable tourism which is important not only for the environmentbut also to create opportunities for local enterprise.
• The different places chosen for the G20 eventswill encompass different flavours like rural tourism (Ladpura Khas village, MP), archaeological tourism (Dholavira), and ecotourism (Khonoma Village, Nagaland) etc.
  • Along with this, 3 mega tourismrelated events are being organized to take advantage of the G20 Presidency. These include Global Investors’ Summit in April 2023, MICE Convention and Meeting of World Tourism CEOs Forum.

What is the Status of the Tourism Sector in India?

• About:
  • India is known for its diverse cultural heritage, rich history, and natural beauty,which attract millions of domestic and international tourists each year.
  • India offers a wide range of tourism options, including eco-tourism, cruise trips, business travel, sports tourism, educational tourism, rural tourism, archaeology tourismand medical tourism.
• Contribution to Economy:
  • In 2021, India was ranked6^th by the World Travel and Tourism Council in terms of the total contribution of Travel & Tourism to the country's GDP.
  • The sector contributed 8% to India's GDP in 2021 and created 32.1 millionjobs, which is equivalent to 6.9% of total employment in the country.

• Challenges Related to the Tourism Sector:

• Infrastructural Constraints:India faces a shortage of quality tourist infrastructure, including accommodations, transportation, and recreational facilities, which limits its potential to attract more tourists.
• Safety and Security: India has been faced withconcerns regarding the safety and security of tourists, especially for  This can deter potential tourists from visiting the country.
• Lack of Standardization: India faces a lack of standardization across the tourism industry,including accommodations, tour operators, and transport providers, which can negatively impact the overall tourist experience.