BRICS Tourism Meet in Jaipur Ends With Focus on AI, Sustainability and Seamless Travel

The BRICS Tourism Ministers’ Meeting, held under India’s 2026 chairship, concluded in Jaipur on Friday with the adoption of the BRICS Tourism Ministers’ Communique 2026, also known as the Jaipur Declaration, aimed at deepening tourism cooperation among member countries.

Chaired by Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the meeting marked the culmination of the BRICS Tourism Track under India’s chairship, conducted under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” Tourism ministers and senior representatives from nine BRICS member states participated.

The declaration, adopted by consensus, focuses on four key priorities: artificial intelligence and tourism, sustainable and responsible tourism, tourism skilling and capacity building, and tourism exchanges and seamless travel facilitation.

The communique recognises the potential of responsible, safe and human-centred AI and digital technologies to transform tourism. It calls for greater cooperation in tourism planning, destination management, visitor services, multilingual communication and travel facilitation.

It also emphasises community-centred and sustainable tourism, protection of natural and cultural heritage, tourism investment and infrastructure development, and promotion of diverse tourism products. Member countries have also called for continuous skilling and upskilling of tourism professionals, stronger industry-academia partnerships, tourism data exchanges and greater people-to-people connectivity.

Addressing the meeting, Shekhawat said tourism would play a significant role in India’s journey towards “Viksit Bharat” by 2047, particularly by taking economic opportunities beyond major urban centres to towns, villages and remote regions. He highlighted tourism’s role in creating livelihoods for hotels, homestays, taxi operators, guides, artisans, weavers, farmers and entrepreneurs.

On the sidelines, India held bilateral discussions with Brazil, Iran, South Africa and the UAE to advance tourism cooperation. Delegates also experienced traditional arts, crafts and community-based tourism initiatives. The visiting representatives are scheduled to tour Jaipur’s major heritage attractions, including Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Amber Fort, on Saturday.