The G20 Tourism Working Group has agreed to develop action plans for four key priorities:

1. Artificial intelligence (AI) development
2. Financing and investments
3. Air connectivity
4. Enhanced resilience to advance the sector

The working group met virtually on Wednesday (March 5) during the first of several engagements planned ahead of the G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting to be held in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province on September 12. Senior officials and experts in the tourism sectors of the G20 countries, invited guest countries and international organisations attended the meeting chaired by South African Department of Tourism Director General Nkhumeleni Victor Vele.

Elaborating on the four priorities, discussions included:

1. An action plan on people-centred AI and innovation to enhance travel and tourism start-ups and small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). As SMMEs make up 80% of all tourism businesses, the working group will leverage programmes such as UN Tourism’s Digital Futures to increase their digital capacity. This will be supported by case studies and examples of innovative AI and digital transformation.
2. Hosting the G20 Tourism Financing and Investment seminar at the G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting. The seminar will address the need to increase financing of tourism projects and investment through development banks and other mechanisms.
3. A G20 Tourism report on air connectivity. Recognising that direct flights are essential for tourism growth, the report will form the basis of an action plan to strengthen partnerships between the tourism and transport sectors and advance flagship projects such as the Single African Air Transport Market.
4. An action plan to enhance resilience for inclusive, sustainable tourism development. Encouraging a new trajectory for inclusive tourism growth, considering preparedness for future disasters that may affect the sector, this action plan will focus on holistic and collaborative approaches among governments, the private sector, local communities and international organisations.

The second G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting will take place from May 11-13 in KwaZulu-Natal. A third meeting is set for September 10-11 in Mpumalanga.

As the first African country to preside over the G20 presidency, South Africa is using its term to drive an Africa-focused development agenda.

Addressing the delegates in a video message, South Africa’s Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille said: “South Africa is excited to welcome all G20 delegates, member states and organisations to our beautiful country and proud to host the G20 for the first time on African soil. I implore all delegates to focus on how we can use tourism to change people’s lives, communities and the world.”