BRICS Jaipur Declaration Boosts Tourism Cooperation

BRICS Tourism Ministers concluded their meeting in Jaipur, India, by adopting the ‘Jaipur Declaration’, formally known as the BRICS Tourism Ministers’ Communique 2026. This significant declaration aims to enhance tourism cooperation among the member nations, setting a framework for future collaborative efforts.

The core objective of the declaration is to foster deeper collaboration across several critical areas within the tourism sector. These include integrating artificial intelligence into tourism, promoting sustainable and responsible tourism practices, and developing essential skills for professionals.

Furthermore, the declaration prioritizes initiatives designed to facilitate seamless travel experiences for visitors across BRICS countries. This comprehensive approach seeks to transform and modernize the tourism landscape within the bloc.

Key Focus Areas of the Declaration

Building on the work initiated by the BRICS Tourism Working Group, the Jaipur Declaration outlines specific priorities for cooperation. It emphasizes the responsible application of AI and digital technologies for tourism transformation, alongside collaborative efforts in tourism planning and destination management.

The declaration also focuses on improving visitor services and implementing effective multilingual communication strategies. It strongly advocates for sustainable and community-centred tourism models, ensuring the protection of cultural heritage.

Other crucial aspects include fostering investment and infrastructure development to support diverse tourism products. The document also calls for the continuous skilling of tourism professionals and strengthening partnerships between industry and academia to meet evolving demands.

Finally, it promotes robust data exchange and the sharing of best practices among member states. These measures are designed to enhance people-to-people connectivity and overall tourism growth.

Participation and India’s Leadership

Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat chaired the meeting, which featured broad representation from nine BRICS member states. Ministers from Brazil, Iran, South Africa, and the UAE participated directly, underscoring the high-level commitment.

Additionally, heads of delegation from China, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Russia were present, contributing to the discussions. The Indian delegation also included Tourism Secretary Bhuvnesh Kumar and Joint Secretary Harikishore S.

Minister Shekhawat highlighted tourism’s vital role in achieving India’s ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047 vision. He noted its potential for creating extensive livelihood opportunities and fostering economic growth across various regions of the country.

Beyond the collective declaration, India engaged in significant bilateral discussions with Brazil, Iran, South Africa, and the UAE to further specific tourism cooperation initiatives. Delegates also experienced Jaipur’s rich cultural heritage through visits to local sites, reinforcing the importance of cultural exchange.