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First meeting of Tourism Working Group under G-20 chaired by Chief Minister held in Dhordo

Special presence of Union Ministers- Delegates of participating countries of G-20

Gujarat is a tourism friendly state full of tourism diversity: CM
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Gandhinagar, Wednesday: Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel kick started the first meeting of the Tourism Working Group of the G-20 Presidency, which is being hosted by India, from Khordo, Kutch. He said that collective workings of the TWG meeting will give new direction and energy to the tourism sector.

Referring to tourism in development, the Chief Minister said that tourism has an important contribution to the GDP of the country and the world.

Referring to the steps being taken towards making Gujarat a prosperous economy CM said that, Under the new tourism policy, a unique vision of environmental prosperity has been adopted along with the development of tourism in the state.

Two decades ago, the earthquake in Kutch killed many people and destroyed thousands of houses. But the tireless efforts of the then Chief Minister and the present Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi have turned the calamity into an opportunity. As a result of his foresight and guidance, Kutch has recovered and is marching on the path of development.

Rann utsav, which was started by Prime Minister Shri Modi after seeing the immense potential of tourism along with industrial development in Kutch, has today become a center of attraction for tourists from all over the world. The Prime Minister has given the desert of Kutch an important place in the map of the world.

Referring to the five important priorities of the Tourism Working Group, the Chief Minister said that one of the five priorities is green tourism. The Smritivan memorial built to commemorate the devastating earthquake in Kutch is an example of green tourism. Fifty check dams and planting of more than three lakh plants in this memorial forest have given a new direction to green tourism.

Gujarat is a tourism friendly state full of tourism diversity. Gandhi Circuit, Buddhist Circuit and Vivekananda Circuit are also being developed in the state for the development of tourism added CM.

Cabinet Minister Shri Parshottam Rupala said that, Kutch has a rich geographical diversity including desert, sea and mountains and it is a matter of pride and good fortune for us to host the G20 in Kutch which is a hub of tourism. The G-20 chairmanship will further accelerate the journey towards building a holistic, inclusive and prosperous India.

Talking about tourism opportunities in India, he added that India’s cultural and geographical diversity, world-class tourist attractions, eco-tourism, green tourism and agri-tourism provide a unique experience to tourists. Through the development of tourism, new jobs are created and the overall development of the area is done economically as well as socially.

Union Tourism Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy said that tourism is an important part of the country’s growth engine. 6.9 million tourists visited India in the year 2022. While there are many varieties of tourism in India, the country is developing in the right direction as a tourism hub. India is becoming a safe and secure tourist destination for foreign tourists. He mentioned that the National Tourism Mission has also been created along with the new tourism policy for the development of tourism.

Chief Secretary of State Mr. Rajkumar, Secretary of Department of Tourism, Government of India Shri Arvind Singh, Principal Secretary of Finance Department Shri Mona Khandhar, Senior Officials of Tourism and other Departments, various representatives of G-20 countries were present.

Source: Information Department, Gujarat