The 2nd BRICS 2026 Tourism Working Group (TWG) Meeting was held in Jaipur on Wednesday under India’s BRICS Chairship, with delegates from member countries discussing ways to strengthen cooperation in sustainable tourism, skilling, technology and seamless travel.
Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, the meeting was chaired by Tourism Secretary Bhuvnesh Kumar and followed the first BRICS 2026 Tourism Working Group meeting, which was held virtually on May 25.
The discussions were held under India’s BRICS Chairship theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, and focused on four key priorities – Artificial Intelligence and Tourism, Sustainability and Responsible Tourism, Tourism Skilling and Capacity Building, and Tourism Exchanges and Seamless Travel Facilitation.
The Working Group recognised tourism as an important driver of economic growth, employment, sustainable development and people-to-people exchanges. Delegates also discussed the changing global tourism landscape, including the impact of technological advancements, evolving traveller expectations and the growing importance of sustainability.
The discussions identified areas for enhanced cooperation among BRICS members, including the responsible use of emerging technologies, community-centred and sustainable tourism, development of human capital, tourism exchanges and improved connectivity.
Addressing the meeting, Kumar said the first Tourism Working Group meeting and subsequent consultations had helped make considerable progress in advancing the BRICS Tourism Track.
He highlighted India’s efforts during its BRICS Chairship to promote cooperation in areas including sustainability, skilling, seamless travel and smart tourism.
Kumar said the outcome of the Jaipur meeting would provide an important basis for the BRICS Tourism Ministers’ Meeting scheduled to be held on August 21.
As part of the programme, BRICS delegates will undertake a technical visit to key tourism and heritage sites in Jaipur on August 20. The visit will include the Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Amer Palace, providing delegates an opportunity to experience Rajasthan’s cultural and architectural heritage.
The meeting is part of India’s broader efforts under its 2026 BRICS Chairship to deepen tourism cooperation among member countries and promote more sustainable, inclusive and technology-enabled travel.
