India hosted the 46th edition of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart 2023 from October 4-6, 2023, at the International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC), Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi. The PATA Mart, which saw the participation of around 1,000 delegates, is one of the major international trade exhibitions catering to the tourism sector and serves as a platform for trade interactions between global buyers and sellers. At the Mart, PATA committed to work closely with India to expand its ‘Travel for LiFE’ initiative across the Asia-Pacific region.
Besides facilitating trade interactions between Buyer Sellers meet, the PTM 2023 also included thought-provoking knowledge sessions at PATA Forum and youth engagement at PATA Youth Symposium. The Travel for LiFE initiative was showcased by the Ministry of Tourism across all the events and generated huge interest from the international travel trade community.
The Travel Mart was followed by the PATA Board meeting where the Ministry of Tourism shared the Travel for LiFE initiative with the Board members. The PATA Board appreciated the initiative and it was agreed that the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India will work with PATA to expand the initiative across the Asia-Pacific region.
It may be recalled that New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration 2023 during G20 summit under India’s Presidency noted the launch of ‘Travel for LiFE’ and supported the development of smart destinations that are responsible and sustainable. Travel for LiFE, a sectoral programme initiated by the Ministry of Tourism, aligns with the philosophy of the Mission LiFE.
Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) was formally launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister on October 19, 2022, in the presence of the UN Secretary General António Guterres, at the Statue of Unity, Ekta Nagar, Gujarat. It is a global mass movement led by India urging individuals and communities to act for protection of the environment against the effects of the climate change.
The Ministry of Tourism will set up a PATA desk to strengthen engagement with PATA on Travel for LiFE and other areas of cooperation in the tourism sector. This is the first major international partnership for the Travel for Life program after its global launch on World Tourism Day on September 27, 2023. Ministry of Tourism is already working with UNEP and UNWTO on strengthening the TFL program.
Travel for LiFE embodies the spirit of the Pro Planet People and functions on the basic principles of “Lifestyle of the planet, for the planet and by the planet”. It aspires to bring large-scale behavioural change amongst tourists and tourism businesses, which will have a significant impact on environment protection while ensuring socio-cultural sustainability.
The Travel for LiFE program has identified an illustrative list of actions that are designed in line with the eight themes of Travel for LiFE–Save Energy, Save Water, Say No to Single Use Plastic, Reduce Waste, Empower Local Businesses and Communities, Respect Local Culture and Heritage, Consume Local Foods and Conserve Nature.
Going a step further, the Travel for LiFE Program also aims to inspire the Tourism Businesses to deepen their sustainability practices by observing adherence to Travel for LiFE-Signed up badge. Subsequently the tourism businesses can go for the Travel for LiFE certification in bronze, silver and gold.
The Ministry of Tourism is working with all the stakeholders in tourism ecosystem including the State Governments, Industry, Destinations and Tourists to make Travel for LiFE a mass movement.
The Travel for LiFE Program will position India as a leader in promoting sustainable and responsible tourism and using tourism as a vehicle for achieving Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
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