Amidst the backdrop of the G20 framework, Arvind Singh Secretary Ministry of Tourism, Government of India addressed the PATA India membership as well as industry stakeholders at a well-attended meeting cum webinar.
The event at Taj Palace New Delhi was attended by 250 participants in a hybrid format which allowed stakeholders to put up relevant questions in the Q&A that took place after the Secretary of Tourism’s address.
Secretary of Tourism, Arvind Singh highlighted major areas of fresh development in his address. He spoke on the pressing need to bring in overall change in Tourism marketing in light of the post-Covid scenario.
Referring to the closure of Overseas India Tourism Offices, effective 31 March 2023, he said, ” Growing digitisation and technology are significantly contributing towards far-reaching marketing and promotion of Incredible India as a destination. This marginalises the need for physically independent India Tourism offices overseas. India Missions abroad have been tasked with this responsibility in key source and emerging markets and have been mandated to promote Incredible India in the future.”
In the interim period between the closure of India Tourism offices and the setting up of the National Tourism Board, MoT will provide interim budgetary support to Missions, enabling them to continue with promotion activities. The National Tourism Board will be responsible for the future promotion of Incredible India in international markets as well as international marts/fairs/roadshows.
He clarified, ” A clear plan and accountability are in place to ensure the aggressive promotion of Incredible India in key source/emerging markets,” adding, “Necessary support to Indian tour operators will be channelized by the National Tourism Board for effective market penetration and promotion.”
He mentioned that to ease visitor inflow, the most relevant source markets now have online visa facilities for tourists intending to visit India. Based on forward bookings data available, India’s inbound tourism is expected to be greater than the competitive global average of 65% in other Asian Markets. He pointed out that Europe and America are ahead owing to the earlier opening of borders to tourism
Arvind Singh shared, ” The G20 will be an important catalyst in India’s tourism resurgence. Efforts are on to amplify tourism as a key driver during the course of G20 meetings.”
Ministry of Tourism is organising its first G-20 Tourism Working Group meeting from 7th to 9th February 2023 in Rann of Kutch, Gujarat. the thrust will be on 5 priority areas of tourism during G20 i.e greening of the tourism sector, power of digitisation, empowering youth with skills, nurturing tourism MSMEs/ startups, and strategic management of destinations.
The Secretary disclosed, “One of the priorities through the G20 platform is to reach a consensus on how the SDG goals will be achieved by 2030. As a part of this, there will be an emphasis on sustainable tourism which is important not only for the environment but also to create opportunities for local enterprises.”
Arvind Singh further said, “G20 will help in raising awareness about the tourism potential of India at the global level as the delegates of the meetings at 55 different locations will be exposed to Indian culture and tourist destinations. Delegates of the Rann of Kutch meeting will be taken to Dholavira which is a UNESCO world heritage site and through this people in our own country and in other countries will come to know about such sites which will help in enhancing tourism.”
Arvind Singh highlighted India’s upcoming opportunities to capitalize on its G20 Presidency, with three mega tourism events.
These include a Global Investors’ Summit in April, an esteemed MICE Convention, and the World Tourism CEO Forum – all of which are expected to take place alongside corresponding G20 functions.
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