G20 summit would elevate tourism sector to its full potential: Official

EOI, DARJEELING, MARCH 30, 2023: The Union tourism secretary, Arvind Singh asserted India fared the best in international inbound tourism in the Asia Pacific region and that the G20 summit would elevate the tourism sector to it full potential. Singh arrived in Darjeeling on Thursday accompanied by the G20 chief coordinator Harsh Vardhan Shringla and other officials to oversee preparation for the second round of the G20 Tourism Working Group (TWG) meeting which will be held in Siliguri, Kurseong and Darjeeling from April 1 to 4.

"We are seeing record tourist turnout as we witness seventy-five years of Independence of our country. Varanasi has seen tenfold footfall compared to previous years. Similar reports are coming in from all parts of the country. 

Domestically we have no problem," said the union tourism secretary. Singh attributed the record tourist footfalls to the timely and stringent measures taken by the central government when the country was hit by the Coronavirus pandemic. "As far as international inbound is concerned, we are the best in the Asia Pacific region. Our vaccination programme was good and we opened up on time. 

We are about 75 percent of pre-covid times. This calendar year we should recover to the pre-covid times," he said, adding the tailwind provided by the G20 had a very positive impact. India's presidency of the G20summit started in December 1,2022. More than twenty nine countries and over 150 delegates besides ten ambassadors of different countries are expected to participate in the second TWG in the region. 

The first TWG was held in February in Rann of Kutch ,Gujarat which will be followed by the third meeting in North India and the fourth in Goa on June 4.

"The second TWG meeting is crucial because it will lead us to building the essential elements for the Ministerial level meeting that will be held subsequently where the official communique will be proposed and drafted," said  Singh. 

The G20 chief coordinator emphasized the importance of the global event that was significant for the hills region. "The G20 has members of the most influential and largest economies of the world. It is also the first time that our country is hosting such a massive event. The hills will have world personalities and dignitaries including ambassadors of different countries coming," said Shringla who also hails from the Hills of Darjeeling. 

Shringla said this time around India and the hills region will be able to set their narrative in theworld stage. 

"The TWC will enable us to set our own narrative on the global agenda, showcase our rich cultural heritage and diversity and promote our tourism potentials," he said. A series of side events have been lined up for the visiting dignitaries which include joy ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO heritage site and plucking of leafs from the teagarden and cultural programmes