India’s G20 Presidency is likely to boost India’s tourism sector  in a big way said Arvind Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism,  Government of India. Delivering his key note speech on the inauguration session of 12^th edition of  the ‘Great Indian Travel Bazaar’ (GITB) being organized by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India along with FICCI and Tourism Department of Rajasthan,   Arvind Singh said, “India’s G20 Presidency has offered unparalleled  opportunities to tourism sector.

We are already in the middle of G20  Presidency and next meeting in Kashmir – India’s crown jewel is likely to bring  huge tourism inflow in India, thus helping India gain credence on the world  tourism map.”

“As a part of India’s G20 Presidency, India will receive more than One Lakh foreign delegates this year and they will be able to witness the variety richness  and diversity of our culture including monuments and festivals. We have also  been making concerted efforts to promote inbound tourism recognising its  potential as a key driver of economic growth and employment generation and  we are in the process of taking further steps to increase the inflow of tourists  into the country. GITB – conceived, launched and nurtured by the trio of Chief  Secretary of Rajasthan Government Smt. Usha Sharma, Past President of FICCI  Dr. Jyotsna Suri and former Tourism Secretary of Rajasthan Smt. Mira Mehrishi is one of such platforms that add strength to our efforts,” said Arvind  Singh.

Stressing upon the potential of tourism for job creation, Usha Sharma,  Chief Secretary, Rajasthan said that Tourism sector generates a large number  of jobs and create ample employment opportunities which played a major role  in assigning Industry status to the sector.

Speaking during inaugural session, Usha Sharma said, “Some people think  that tourism is a glamorous sector, whereas the truth is that the sector  provides huge job opportunities. And, we endeavor to fully utilized its  potential. For this purpose, Rajasthan government has accorded industry  status to the tourism in the state. The move will help us attract much more  investment.”

Recounting her experience of conceptualizing GITB way back in 2007, Usha Sharma said, “We felt the need to make B2B a very much intrinsic part of  this platform where there are absolutely gainful tangible outcomes.”

Describing GITB as a “Perfect example of Public Private Partnership”, Gayatri Rathore, Principal Secretary – Tourism, Art & Culture, Government of  Rajasthan said that GITB aims to boost inbound tourism in India while  providing a strong platform to tourism stakeholders for exchange of ideas and networking to understand the market expectations.

“Rajasthan government has taken plethora of revolutionary initiatives to boost  tourism in the state – from full industry status to launching of Rural Tourism  Policy and Film Promotion Policy – with budgetary support. These steps are  bound to not only provide boost to tourism but also will create a large number  of job opportunities.”

Delivering his address at GITB inaugural session, Dharmendra Singh Rathore, Chairman, Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation said, “During Covid, our Bhilwara model saved the life of people, in the same  way, our Hon’ble CM has provided a booster dose to tourism sector by giving it  an industry status. With hospitality as our core and easy policy to back us,  hotels are opening in rural areas, which are providing impetus to job creation  in villages of Rajasthan.”

Appreciating the support of both Union Ministry of Tourism and Rajasthan  Govt’s Tourism Department in his Welcome speech  Dipak  Deva, Chairperson, Tourism & Culture Committee of FICCI said, “We are  reminded of tourism’s enormous potential to drive economic growth and  foster sustainable development in India and beyond promoting responsible  and inclusive tourism that respects local communities their cultures and the  natural environment is imperative. GITB provides a unique platform for  tourism stakeholders to connect, collaborate and create new opportunities for  growth and development.”

Stressing that it was not two but three creators of GITB, Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Past  President, FICCI & CMD of The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group said, “We three – Smt. Usha Sharma, Smt. Mira Mehrishi and myself conceived and launched GITB. Today it has become a hugely respected event for inbound tourism. Members of the tourism industry along with several states will be showcasing  their wide spectrum of numerous versatile and unique products.”

Drawing a comparative picture, Shailesh Pathak, Secretary General, FICCI said, “Green tourism will hugely increase incomes of villages around tourist  destinations across India. For every Rs. 10 lakh investment in manufacturing,  45 jobs are created, compared to 78 jobs in the tourism sector.”

Randhir Vikram Singh, President, Indian Heritage Hotel Association &  CMD, Hotel Castle Mandawa delivered the Vote of Thanks.

On the occasion, a Knowledge Paper prepared by FICCI and Nangia Anderson  titled ‘Inbound Tourism in India – Unlocking the Potential’ was also released.

The report highlights the present scenario of inbound tourism in India, the  initiatives being undertaken by the Central & various State Governments to  boost the sector, various niche tourism products introduced by Government of  India, India’s G20 Tourism priorities and Vision 2047 with respect to tourism  sector.

During the inaugural of GITB, several dignitaries, including Ambassador of  Republic of South Korea to India His Excellency Chang Jae-bok,  government officials from Union Tourism Ministry and Government of Rajasthan, besides industry leaders from Hotel & Restaurant Association of  Rajasthan (HRAR), Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA) and Rajasthan  Association of Tour Operators (RATO) were also present.

Being held after a gap of three years, GITB will witness over 11,000 B2B  meetings of 283 tour operators from 56 countries, including 150+ from G20  countries, with the representatives of Tourism Boards from 10 states namely – Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Karnataka, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu,  Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh, apart from Rajasthan along with more than  290 Indian Exhibitors.

The premier tourism event is supported by leading national and regional  associations- Hotel & Restaurant Association of Rajasthan (HRAR), Indian  Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA) and Rajasthan Association of Tour  Operators (RATO).