Foolproof security arrangements in place
RATTAN SHARMA
JAMMU: The stage is all set to host the 3rd G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting as the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is ready to welcome the foreign delegates who are expected to take part in the Meeting to be held in Srinagar from May 22 to 24.
Two Tourism Working Group (TWG) meetings of the G20 have already taken place at Runn of Kutch in Gujarat and Siliguri-Darjeeling, and the third one will take place in Srinagar from tomorrow.
Ahead of the Meeting, foolproof security arrangements have been made and work on sprucing up of the capital city for the event is almost over.
The G20 meet in Jammu & Kashmir is being billed as the first major international event being hosted after the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into the Union Territories of J&K, and Ladakh. In the last two years, J&K has registered a rise in tourist influx.
About 60 foreign delegates are expected to take part in the event to be held from May 22 to 24.
According to official sources. the delegates will take a ride on Shikara on Dal Lake and attend cultural performances on its bank. The Mayor of Srinagar will host a lunch for G20 delegates in the city, besides a gala dinner to be hosted by the Lt Governor of J&K.
The Group of Twenty (G20) is an inter-governmental forum comprising 19 countries – Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States, and the European Union.
A side event on ‘Film Tourism for Economic Growth and Cultural Preservation’ is being organised on May 22, focusing on strategies to promote film tourism. The event will see participation of G20 member countries, invited countries, international organisations, and industry stakeholders including leading producers from the film industry, the officials said.
This side event will also include unveiling of the draft ‘National Strategy on Film Tourism’ that will provide a roadmap for harnessing the role of films in promoting tourist destinations. Besides, a panel discussion featuring speakers from G20 member countries, invited countries will shed light on country-specific enablers and challenges in promoting destinations through films.
Inputs will also be taken on this draft at the TWG meeting in Srinagar, and after multiple discussions, it is expected to be completed in “three months”, officials said.
In Srinagar, delegates will be treated to cultural programmes at the Sher-e-Kashmir Convention Centre.
Later, they were to go to Gulmarg for gondola ride. A technical session on promotion of film tourism was also planned to be hosted there. The delegates will have an excursion in and around Srinagar.