4th Joint Working Group Meeting: Enhancing tourism ties between India and Japan

Dusmanta Behera
Dusmanta Behera - Editor-in-Chief
3 Min Read

NewzVille Desk

NewzVille Desk

On finding new ways to work together and enhance tourism ties between India and Japan, the 4th Joint Working Group (JWG) Meeting was held on Tuesday, in New Delhi. The meeting was co-chaired by Mugdha Sinha, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and HARAIKAWA Naoya, Commissioner, Japan Tourism Agency (JTA).
Officials and private stakeholders from both countries took part, including representatives from airlines, tourism and travel associations and Government institutions. Key organizations included Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO),  Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), JTTRI, Japan Airlines and ANA from the Japanese side.
The Indian delegation comprised of  Ministry of  External Affairs, Civil Aviation, Education, NCHMCT, ICCR and private stakeholders like Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI), Association of Buddhist Tour Operators (ABTO).
Minister of Tourism, Gajendra Singh Sekhawat, hosted a Welcome Dinner for the Japanese delegation.

The Co- Chairs of the two countries exchanged notes on the profile of the visitors and delved into the data insights of the tourists travelling between the two countries, including to Buddhist destinations, in order to undertake suitable policy interventions to make the destinations more attractive for the millennial tourists.

ONO Keiichi, Ambassador of Japan to India, emphasized on the strong cultural ties and mutual benefits of enriched tourism between the two countries.

Key discussions during the meeting focused on expanding bilateral tourism, with initiatives such as promoting Buddhist sites in India to Japanese tourists, improving air connectivity and encouraging Japanese student visits to the country. The meeting also explored increased private sector involvement and strategies to harness media and influencer engagements for boosting tourist flow.

Both sides shared valuable inputs and discussed new investment opportunities to strengthen cooperation in the tourism sector between both nations. The collaborative spirit and commitment demonstrated by both the sides during the meeting is expected to develop a more vibrant tourism ecosystem, contributing significantly to the economic and cultural exchange between India and Japan.

India also informed the Japanese delegation about the potential of partnerships with them for creating uniquely curated itineraries for the Japanese tourists in the recently revamped Incredible India digital portal.  It was also indicated that the Ministry of Tourism is in the process of launching the Incredible India mobile App shortly.

India also intimated the Japanese delegation about its plans of participation at the World Expo, Osaka, 2025 from 22– 28 September 2025 for a broader outreach.

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Dusmanta Behera
By Dusmanta Behera Editor-in-Chief
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Dusmanta Behera's pioneering experience of 26 years includes key roles at News Today Pvt Ltd, ETV Networks, Lok Sabha TV. Rajya Sabha TV, and Sansad TV. As an accredited Video Journalist for more than 15 years under MI&B, Government of India covered State Visits of Prime Minister and Vice President. Valuable Contributions include Series on "National Security" and Chamber Telecast. Key interest remains in Documentaries on Armed Forces and Travelogues.
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