2nd May 2023, New Delhi:

Foundation For Aviation and Sustainable Tourism (FAST) conducted its annual seminar in New Delhi with the theme “India’s G-20 Presidency: A Golden Opportunity for India Tourism”. The seminar was addressed by MoS for Tourism, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik through video link. He highlighted the importance of the seminar in the context of ongoing G20 presiding which is an premier forum for international economic cooperation. He also mentioned the important role of G20 in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues. The objective of GTIS is to attract global investment into the Indian tourism and hospitality sector along with investments in tourism infrastructure, technology, skill development, startups and more.

The Minister said, “G-20 will help in raising awareness about tourism potential at the global level.” India has been active in G-20 meetings and has taken a leadership role in several areas, such as promoting inclusive growth, increasing investment in infrastructure, and strengthening financial regulation. The inaugural address by the minister paved the path for productive and fruitful deliberations at the seminar.

Shri Arvind Singh, IAS, Secretary, Tourism was the Guest of Honour, gave the way forward that the government is following to fully harness this opportunity. He mentioned that tourism traffic is back and up and infrastructure such as High Speed Modern Trains clubbed with Quality Highways along with airports and air routes under RCS have immensely contributed to it. He conveyed the intent of the PM in going ahead in Mission Mode for tourism in an effective manner. He also shared the rich video content getting viral on the social media there by highlighting tourism and he dwelled upon the insight of the upcoming programs and activities of the Ministry in this regard.

The seminar has sensitized the environment with full of positivity for the upcoming events under the banner of G-20 in general and particularly the upcoming Investor Summit in May, 2023; besides providing the marketing tourism promotion and networking opportunities.

FAST Seminar was steered by two former Secretary, Tourism, former Chairman, AAI and the former Governor of Tripura & Chhattisgarh, Lt. Gen. KM Seth, PVSM, AVSM(Retd.) and President of FAST. They together brought out meaningful outcome through the deliberations in two dedicated Business Sessions.

Session-1 was Chaired by Mr. MP Bezbaruah, IAS, former Secretary Tourism and Session-2 was Chaired by Mr. Vinod Zutshi, IAS, former Secretary Tourism. During deliberations it transpired that to make the best use of the G20’s presidency for travel and tourism, India can initiate interactions with G20 nations at the four key levels, i.e. (i) Govt to Government. (G2G), (ii) Government to business (G2B), (iii) Business to business, (B2B) and (iv) People to people. (P2P) It was mandated that such deliberations shall be captured in the form of a Post Seminar Report (PSR). The PSR may be forwarded to the Government and concerned departments and stakeholders for necessary action at their level.