PRESS NOTE : Dated May 01-2023
FAST organizes Seminar on – “India’s G-20 Presidency: A Golden Opportunity for India Tourism”
NEW DELHI. A seminar on “India’s G-20Presidency “A Golden Opportunity for India Tourism” was organized by FAST(Foundation For Aviation and Sustainable Tourism) While addressing the gathering through video link ,Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, MoS for Tourism ,highlighted the importance of the seminar in today’s context. The Group of Twenty (G20) is the premier forum for international economic cooperation. It plays an important role 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 that the “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 Hon’ble Minister was highly motivating and 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.
Further the Seminar was steered by the able hands of two former Secretary, Tourism, former Chairman, AAI and the leadership of 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-2was 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) Peopleto 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.
FAST is a non-profit research body since 1992, duly registered with ICAO and is concerned with promotion of civil aviation and tourism and acts as a facilitator between the industry, the stakeholders and the Government. Late Dr. SS Sidhu, IAS, former Secretary ,Civil Aviation and Secretary General, ICAO was the founder President of FAST. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees who are eminent professionals from civil aviation and tourism. Foundation holds such seminars on regular intervals and maintained it even during the Covid-19 pandemic times through the On-Line Webinars.
