Gujarat's Rann of Kutch to host first Tourism Working Group meeting

Gujarat, will host its second G20 event- the first Tourism Working Group Meeting at the Rann of Kutch from February 7 to 9.

Gujarat information department stated that Rann of Kutch has become a global tourism destination and Kutch has made a mark on the global tourism map owing to its vibrant tourism economy and thriving culture, art, and tradition.

Two more events are also planned under the TWG. Side Event-1, on February 7, will focus on Rural Tourism for Community Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation.

This event will attend Union Minister of Tourism G.Kishan Reddy, Sandra Carvao, Chief, Tourism Market Intelligence and Competitiveness, UNWTO will share her insights at the event.

A panel discussion on ‘How can tourism policy support tourism’s contribution to rural development’ will be moderated by UNWTO.

Speakers will include United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), Asian Development Bank (ADB), International Labour Organisation (ILO) and representatives from Indonesia, Italy, South Africa, Spain, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Argentina.

On February 7, the delegates will get a chance to visit the White Rann of Kutch. Chief minister Bhupendra Patel will host the cultural program showcasing the rich heritage of the region and a gala dinner for the delegates.

Patel and Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala will inaugurate the TWG on February 8.

It will be followed by working sessions on 5 Priority Issues: Green Tourism, Digitalization, Skills, Tourism MSMEs and Destination Management.

On February 9, the international delegates and participants will have a Yoga session at the White Rann of Kutch followed by a visit to Dholavira, the UNESCO world heritage site of the Harappan civilization.

Side Event -2, on February 9, will focus on Promotion of Archaeological Tourism: Discovering Shared Cultural Heritage.

Secretary of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India Shri Arvind Singh will deliver the opening remarks. The keynote address will be made by UNESCO.

Attendees of the TWG will visit the Smriti Van Memorial Project on the last day -February 10. Smriti Van Memorial inaugurated in August 2022 is spread across 470 acres, built atop Bhujiyo Dungar at Bhuj, Kutch.

Journey of Bhuj post the 2001 earthquake is narrated in the form of a presentation showcasing the rich Harappan civilization, the science of seismology, heritage, culture and art of Gujarat, and real-time emergency situations through a control room.