Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh hosts two-day SCO Tourism Ministers’ conference

The city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh has been selected as the venue for the two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Tourism Ministers’ Meeting, which commenced on March 17, 2023. The meeting is aimed at promoting mutual cooperation in tourism between the SCO member states.

The SCO is an intergovernmental organization comprising eight member states, including China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The organization was established in 2001, and its primary objective is to promote cooperation among member states in various fields, including economic, political, and cultural.

During the meeting, the Joint Action Plan on the Development of Cooperation in Tourism will be adopted. This plan will include actions related to the promotion of the SCO tourism brand, the cultural heritage of the member states, and the sharing and exchange of information and digital technology in tourism.

In addition, the plan will also focus on the promotion of mutual cooperation in medical and health tourism. The SCO member states have a wealth of cultural and natural heritage, and their tourism potential is yet to be fully explored. The Joint Action Plan is expected to enhance cooperation among the member states in the tourism sector, leading to an increase in tourism flows and economic growth in the region.

Varanasi, one of the oldest living cities in the world, has been designated as the first cultural capital of the SCO. The city is known for its rich cultural heritage, including its ancient temples, ghats, and cultural festivals. The SCO member states have recognized the cultural significance of Varanasi and have expressed their desire to promote it as a tourist destination.

India, the current chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, is hosting the meeting. The country has been actively promoting tourism in recent years, and the SCO meeting is expected to further enhance its tourism potential.

The Union Minister for Tourism, G. Kishan Reddy, is participating in the meeting. Prior to the meeting, the Minister visited the ghats of the Holy Ganga and performed Pooja at the Kashi Vishwanath temple in the morning. The visit was aimed at highlighting the rich cultural and religious heritage of Varanasi, which is an essential aspect of the city’s tourism potential.

The SCO member states represent around 42 percent of the world’s population and 25 percent of the global GDP. The region has significant tourism potential, which is yet to be fully explored. The Joint Action Plan on the Development of Cooperation in Tourism is expected to pave the way for increased cooperation among the member states in the tourism sector and promote sustainable tourism in the region.

The SCO Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in Varanasi is a crucial step towards enhancing cooperation among the member states in the tourism sector. The meeting is expected to lead to the adoption of the Joint Action Plan on the Development of Cooperation in Tourism, which will promote mutual cooperation in various aspects of tourism, including the promotion of the SCO tourism brand, cultural heritage, and digital technology. The meeting is a significant development for the tourism sector in the region and is expected to enhance economic growth and tourism flows in the SCO member states.