Goa Roadmap: G20 adopts path to future of tourism

Panaji: The Goa Roadmap for Tourism will serve as a shared blueprint for G20 nations to achieve the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) identified by the United Nations, said Union tourism minister G Kishan Reddy on Wednesday.
Speaking at the G20 tourism ministerial meeting being held in Goa, Reddy said the Goa roadmap is crucial for the future of the global tourism industry, which needs to become more sustainable and more equitable.
“I would like to acknowledge the importance of the Goa Roadmap for Tourism as a vehicle for achieving SDGs. It places strong emphasis on supporting the creation of a safer, healthier and a more sustainable and equitable future while taking into account national circumstances, needs and priorities,” said Reddy.
Reddy reminded the ministers and international delegates of the “transformative power of tourism” and the urgent need to implement strategies to safeguard the future of the global tourism industry.
He said the G20 tourism working group had identified five priorities: Green tourism, digitalisation, skill development, tourism MSMEs, and destination management. The Goa Roadmap for Tourism features case studies emphasising the best practices and advances in place among G20 members and guests countries with regard to the identified key priority areas.
“The cornerstone of our collective endeavours is the Goa Roadmap, which serves as a comprehensive framework for achieving the SDGs through tourism. The document enlists findings from a key survey conducted among G20 members and guest countries that underscore the significant relationship between tourism and the SDGs. The Goa roadmap has also thrown light on promoting tourist-led actions for responsible tourism in line with India’s ‘Travel for LiFE’ programme,” said Reddy.
The Union ministry of tourism’s ‘Travel for LiFE ’ programme has been incorporated in the Goa Roadmap for Tourim. The programme aims to sensitise and mobilise the power of youth in the country to position India as a global destination for sustainable tourism. It also aims to nudge visitors and tourism businesses to adopt sustainable practices and contribute to the preservation of natural and cultural heritage.
“We are all aware of the immense significance of the G20 and its role in global governance. We can harness the power of tourism to accelerate progress towards the SDGs, ensuring that no one is left behind,” said Reddy.
Goa played host to tourism ministers from the G20 nations as well as guest countries, with Reddy describing the sunny state as an “enchanting destination” and a “magnet for tourists” from across the world.