Context:
Recently, The BRICS Tourism Ministers’ Meeting, held in Jaipur, Rajasthan, under India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship, concluded with the unanimous adoption of the Jaipur Declaration. It provides a framework to strengthen tourism cooperation among BRICS countries.
Theme:
The BRICS Tourism Track was conducted under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
Four Key Priorities:
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- Artificial Intelligence and Tourism: The declaration recognises the potential of safe, responsible and human-centred Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies in tourism. Cooperation will cover tourism planning, destination management, visitor services, multilingual communication and travel facilitation.
- Sustainability and Responsible Tourism: BRICS countries will promote sustainable and responsible tourism that balances economic development with environmental protection and cultural preservation. Community participation and local livelihoods are also important components.
- Tourism Skilling and Capacity Building: The declaration emphasises skill development and capacity building to create a trained tourism workforce and improve service quality. This can generate employment for youth and strengthen local tourism economies.
- Tourism Exchanges and Seamless Travel: The framework seeks to increase tourist exchanges among BRICS countries and facilitate smoother travel through digital technologies, better tourism services and greater cooperation.
- Artificial Intelligence and Tourism: The declaration recognises the potential of safe, responsible and human-centred Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies in tourism. Cooperation will cover tourism planning, destination management, visitor services, multilingual communication and travel facilitation.
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Significance for India:
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- Tourism is an important source of employment, foreign exchange, entrepreneurship and regional development. India can use BRICS tourism cooperation to attract more visitors, strengthen cultural diplomacy and promote destinations beyond major cities.
- The initiative also supports the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 by creating livelihood opportunities for hotels, homestays, guides, artisans, weavers, farmers and local entrepreneurs.
- Tourism is an important source of employment, foreign exchange, entrepreneurship and regional development. India can use BRICS tourism cooperation to attract more visitors, strengthen cultural diplomacy and promote destinations beyond major cities.
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About BRICS:
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- BRICS is an intergovernmental cooperation forum representing major emerging economies and the Global South.
- The term 'BRIC' was coined by economist Jim O’Neill in 2001. Formal cooperation began in 2006, while the first BRIC summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009.
- BRICS is an intergovernmental cooperation forum representing major emerging economies and the Global South.
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Expansion:
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- 2010: BRIC became BRICS following the inclusion of South Africa.
- 2024: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates joined the group.
- 2025: Indonesia became a full member.
- Currently, BRICS has 11 full members.
- 2010: BRIC became BRICS following the inclusion of South Africa.
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Challenges:
Tourism cooperation faces challenges such as differences in visa procedures, connectivity, language, digital infrastructure and tourism standards. Simplifying travel procedures and improving air connectivity will be essential for greater tourism exchanges.
Conclusion:
The Jaipur Declaration broadens BRICS cooperation into tourism through a focus on AI, sustainability, skilling and seamless travel. For India, it can strengthen tourism-led employment, regional development and cultural diplomacy while contributing to the broader objective of Viksit Bharat @2047.
