SILIGURI: According to India's tourism minister, G. Kishan Reddy, the second G20 Tourism Working Group meeting will focus on domestic tourism projections and help India realise its full potential in the industry.
More than 130 people are attending the meeting, which is taking place in the West Bengal cities of Darjeeling and Siliguri from April 1 to 3. These attendees include delegates from G20 members, invitee nations, international organisations, business partners, state tourism officials, and local tour operators.
On the second day of the gathering, Reddy stated that the conference's goal was to project domestic tourism as a mission. According to him, it will also force India to realise all of its tourism-related potential. As per the minister, for the country's tourism industry to grow responsibly and sustainably, the Union Ministry of Tourism has also developed a thorough tourism policy.
John Barla, the Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, welcomed the delegates to Siliguri and noted that West Bengal is the source of India's national anthem.
The Ministry of AYUSH hosted a yoga class for the G20 member country representatives to kick off the day. Subsequently, the Union Tourism Minister, along with Minister Barla, MP Raju Bista, the Tourism Secretary, and the international delegations, flagged off a Himalayan Automobile Rally.
"The G20 TWG meeting would go a long way in assisting in establishing the destination as a tourism and MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions) destination," said Harsh Vardhan Shingla, Chief Coordinator, G20 India, on Friday.
He claimed that India, particularly the Northeastern region, will have a great opportunity to promote the region's rich cultural legacy and tourism potential.
According to Shingla, foreign delegates will learn about the tea industry, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, and adventure tourism. The tourist sector would be improved, according to Arvind Singh, secretary of tourism, who stated that stakeholder proposals would be taken into consideration. He stated that meeting attendees would learn about the area's local tourism offerings.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as a Darjeeling tea tasting and moonlight tea leaf plucking experience have also been arranged for the delegates at Makaibari Tea Estate, Kurseong.
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