Foreign tourism to India has been booming in recent months, according to Union Minister for Tourism and Culture G. Kishan Reddy. Speaking at the 4th Tourism Working Group Meeting, Reddy revealed that foreign tourist arrivals from January to April 2023 were 166% higher than during the same period in the previous year.
Reddy described the spiritual strength of India as one of its key attractions, stating that no visit to the country is complete without experiencing it. He also stressed the importance of promoting responsible tourism and environmentally-conscious lifestyles.
The meeting discussed the development of a G20 Tourism and SDG Dashboard, which will promote policies and initiatives among G20 and guest countries, to build a more sustainable and inclusive tourism sector.
Reddy explained that India’s government has two priorities currently – sustainable infrastructure creation, and raising awareness amongst tourists of responsible consumption. He urged those involved in the tourism industry to focus on building a more diverse, resilient, and sustainable sector for future generations.
The meeting will provide recommendations for national governments and other tourism stakeholders to act upon and achieve sustainable development goals. Reddy emphasized that the legacy of the G20 Tourism and SDG Dashboard will be a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient sector.
