2nd G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting to showcase North Eastern India's potential

The next 2nd Tourism Working Group Conference in Siliguri, West Bengal, which attempts to revitalize the tourist sector that was badly hit by the Covid-19 outbreak, will draw more than 130 attendees, including delegates from the G20 member nations.

The G20 nations will get the chance to debate strategies for revitalizing tourism during the three-day event, which begins on April 1. It will also be an opportunity to highlight the cultural heritage and tourist potential of the North Eastern region of India.

Chief Coordinator of G20 India Harsh Vardhan Shingla said that the meeting would contribute to positioning Siliguri as a tourism and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) destination. He added that foreign delegates would be exposed to the tea industry, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, and adventure tourism.

In addition to this, 10 ambassadors from the G-20 Nations who will be visiting the region will also get the opportunity to discuss with the local stakeholders about the potentials of the region, Shringla said on Thursday.

Union Tourism Secretary Arvind Singh informed the media that the meeting's key aspects and suggestions from stakeholders would be taken into account to improve the tourism sector.

During the event, the West Bengal Ministry of Tourism will promote regional goods by distributing mementos to attendees from the ODOP (One District One Product) list of goods, which includes Wooden Owl sets from Burdwan District, Dokra GI Hook fish from Bankura District, Banglshree Silk Pocket Square from Malda District, and Chitpore Attar from Kalimpong District.

In order to provide visitors a comprehensive understanding of local arts, the ministry will also set up art and craft kiosks and "Do It Yourself" activities.

Speaking about next 2nd Tourism Working Group Conference, the meeting will be attended by Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and DoNER G Kishan Reddy, and Union Minister of State, Ministry of Minority Affairs John Barla.

Apart from this, the participants will take part in cultural events including Baul Music, Tribal Dancing, Traditional Tappa Dance, Tamang Folk Dance, and Chhau Dance. They will also ride a toy train from Ghum, India's highest railway station, through Batasia Loop to Darjeeling station.

The Ministry of AYUSH has organized a morning yoga session for the delegates at the Mayfair Tea Resort in Siliguri, which is surrounded by lush greenery. Additionally, the Ministry of Tourism is hosting a Side Event on "Adventure Tourism as a vehicle for achieving Sustainable Development Goals," reflecting the growing popularity of adventure tourism in India among domestic and international tourists.