Describing the creation of employment opportunities as one of the main concerns worldwide, Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay on Monday said the sector plays a vital role in creating jobs for all strata of society. They include skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled people.

Addressing the annual conference of Tourism Ministers from G-20 countries at Paris, Mr Sahay said, creation of employment opportunities is one of the main concerns worldwide, more so in the wake of the economic slowdown.

According to an official release, the Minister said the annual conference is a forum for the growth and development of sustainable international tourism by promoting discussions and exchange of ideas between the major economies of the world that are also the major tourism market.

He expressed the hope that the conference would focus on creation of job opportunities in the tourism sector, thereby expanding the reach of economic benefits to larger segments of the world population. The Minister said that Travel and Tourism is increasingly intertwined with environmental sustainability.

He said in spite of growing relevance and proving contribution to GDP, tourism still lacks due political and economic recognition.

The 3-day annual conference of Tourism Ministers known as T-20 countries began in Paris on Monday and will conclude on 26th of this month.