HYDERABAD: Apart from preserving rich heritage, tourism industry should also focus on developing world-class tourism infrastructure, said Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Kishan Reddy at the United Nations High Level Political Forum (UN HLPF) on Monday.
Kishan Reddy highlighted India’s efforts on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in his keynote address at the UNWTO High-Level Political Forum at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, US.
While speaking about India’s efforts with rich heritage and creating world-class infrastructure for tourism, he said that the country had developed an action plan to build and promote common themes such as Buddhism, Ramayana, and Himalaya heritage circuits that link and resonate with partner countries.
He said that India sought to meet the SDGs and encourage responsible tourism by highlighting programmes such as Mission LiFE, Youth Tourism Clubs, and the development of a national tourism policy.
“Youth tourism clubs are being established in schools and universities throughout the country to ensure that the next generation takes pride in the country’s rich cultural and geographical diversity. These clubs will also raise awareness about sustainable tourism practises,” Kishan Reddy explained.
He said that India’s leadership was setting the agenda for the GOA declaration at the G20, which would serve as a roadmap for the global tourism industry to accomplish the SDGs directly and positively.
He said, “India hosted G-20 meetings in 55 cities across the country to provide policymakers with a firsthand look at India’s beauty and wonder. The Goa Declaration, which was supported by all G-20 members, is focused on green tourism, digitalization, skills for empowering youth for jobs and entrepreneurship, nurturing start-ups, small firms for innovation and dynamism, and destination management.
“In addition, India has made a concerted effort to incorporate economic, social, and environmental sustainability as a core agenda in policies and priorities. As a result, this will be prominently featured in the new National Tourism Policy, which will be implemented soon and will greatly assist foreign tourism, ” Kishan Reddy added.
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