Lok Sabha Question No. 1876 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-19
Subject: CEO Round Table on Sustainable Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Raja Amareshwara Naik, Vinod Kumar Sonkar, Rajveer (Raju Bhaiya) Singh, Bhola Singh, Sukanta Majumdar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1876 ANSWERED ON 19.12.2022

## CEO ROUND TABLE ON SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

1876. SHRI RAJA AMARESHWARA NAIK:

SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR:

SHRI RAJVEER SINGH (RAJU BHAIYA):

SHRI BHOLA SINGH:

DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry of Tourism, in partnership with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) organis ed a 'CEO round table on Sustainable Tourism';
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  major  outcome  and  recommendations  derived  from  the program for transformation of tourism sector;
- (d) whether Tourism Sector has prepared well in view of upcoming heavy inflow of foreign tourist due to G20 Presidency to India;
- (e)
- if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (f) the  other  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a)  to  (c):  Yes,  Sir.  With  an  objective  to  enhance  engagement  and participation  of  industry  stakeholders  in  the  transition  of  Tourism sector towards a sustainability pathway, the Ministry of Tourism, in partnership with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and Responsible Tourism Society of India (RTSOI) organized a 'CEO round table on Sustainable Tourism' on Friday 25 th  November, 2022.

The round table drew linkages with the Travel for LiFE Pledge, Responsible Traveller Campaign and Global Tourism Plastics Initiatives.

The Participants committed to sign the Travel for LiFE Campaign and promote it widely among their networks, travellers and other stakeholders.

Following the above-mentioned CEO round table on sustainable tourism,  7  new  signatories  from  India's  hospitability  industry  have signed the ambitious commitments for managing plastic pollution in tourism sector and have joined the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative.

(d)  to  (f):  In  order  to  boost  visitor  arrival  during  G20  presidency Ministry  of  Tourism,  Government  of  India  has  declared  'Incredible India!  Visit India Year 2023'. Ministry of Tourism has taken measures to  promote India as a holistic destination in the tourism generating markets  to  promote  various  Indian  tourism  products  and  tourism destinations  of  the  country  to  increase  India's  share  of  the  global tourism market.

The  above  objectives  would  be  met  through  an  integrated marketing  and  promotional  strategy  in  association  with  the  Travel Trade,  State  Governments  and  Indian  Missions.  The  Government continuously engages  with  industry experts and  other relevant stakeholders and take their suggestions and feedback for promotion of varied tourism products of India.

In  preparation  for  the  G-20  meetings  in  India,  the  Ministry  of Tourism,  Govt.  of  India  is  holding  a  series  of  capacity  building training programmes/workshops across the country for various segments  of  tourism  industry  stakeholders  and  service  providers. This includes service providers who are engaged in other professions but come  in contact with the tourist. These  persons  include Incredible  India  Tourist  Guides, Rickshaw  pullers,  Auto/Taxi  drivers, police  personnel,  immigration  staff  at  airports,  coolies,  taxi/coach drivers, staff at monuments, guides etc.

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