GIRD actively participated in the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting held from 19th to 22 June 2023 in Goa. The deliberations in the meeting centered on five inter-connected priority areas, namely, Green Tourism, Digitalization, Skills, Tourism MSMEs, and Destination Management.
We put forward concrete suggestions for measures to be undertaken for ensuring sustainable tourism and we have been working on some of the measures like freeing tourist places from plastic menace and prevention of littering of water bodies near tourism places.
The discussions touched upon various issues, opportunities and challenges posed before a sustainable development of the tourism sector. It was observed that local tourism is a major source of both income and cultural upliftment. Local tourism would add on to developing the idea of sustainable tourism circuits, ensuring support to the local economy as well as guaranteeing environmental conservation. There was an emphasis on the need to balance a boom in visitor capacity of tourist destinations against our commitment to environment protection, green tourism and sustainability.
The Working Group meeting came out with Goa Roadmap for Tourism as a vehicle for achieving sustainable development goals. By focusing on the five interconnected priorities identified and endorsed by the G20 Tourism Working Group – Green Tourism, Digitalization, Skills, Tourism MSMEs, and Destination Management – the Roadmap offers a comprehensive strategy for nations to align their tourism policies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.
To facilitate the implementation of the GOA Roadmap, we are undertaking education and awareness campaigns to sensitize local community stakeholders about incorporating key recommended actions in their operations for the creation of more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive tourism.
The Working Group on Tourism meeting has also resulted in the launch of the “Travel for LiFE” initiative, which we believe has transformative potential in promoting responsible and sustainable tourism. Travel for LiFE (TFL), a program under Mission LiFE, has been envisaged to create awareness about sustainable tourism and to nudge the tourists and tourism businesses to adopt sustainable practices synchronous with nature. The program aims to mainstream sustainability into tourism sector towards developing a sustainable, responsible and resilient tourism sector.
We are committed to promote TFL actions by tourists. The TFL actions include: Save Energy. Save Water. Say No to Single Use Plastic. Reduce Waste. Empower Local Businesses and Communities. Respect Local Culture and Heritage. Consume Local Foods. Conserve Local Heritage.
We encourage all tourists to take the following TFL Pledge:
- I shall adopt a planet-friendly lifestyle during my travel (ii)
- I shall encourage my friends and family to adopt responsible behaviour during travel
- I shall respect local culture and learn about my heritage during my travel
- I shall avoid single-use plastic during my travel
- I shall preserve natural heritage during my travel
Mr Shamsudden A.K., Secretary and Director, Green Institute for Research and Development (extreme right) along with Shri Shripad Naik, Hon’ble Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, Waterways & Tourism, Government of India and other dignitaries at the 4th G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting held in Goa from 19th to 22nd June 2023
GIRD Secretary & Director Mr Shamsuddeen A.K. with with H.E. Chang Jae-Bok, Ambassador to India of the Republic of Korea at G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting in Goa
GIRD Secretary & Director Mr. Shamsuddeen A.K. with H.E. Ahmed bin Aqil al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, Saudi Arabia at G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting in Goa
GIRD Secretary & Director Mr. Shamsuddeen A.K. with Mr Sultan Al-Musallam, Minister for International Peace and Security, Saudi Arabia at G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting in Goa