The Fourth Meeting of the IORA Core Group on Tourism (CGT) was held on 5 May 2023 in Balaclava, Mauritius, hosted by the Republic of Mauritius in collaboration with the IORA Secretariat. The meeting was chaired by the Director of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism, Mauritius, and brought together representatives of IORA Member States, Dialogue Partners, the IORA Secretariat, and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO to review progress and advance cooperation in tourism development across the Indian Ocean Region.

The meeting reviewed the status of implementation of the CGT Work Plan (2022–2027). Members agreed that the Secretariat would circulate an updated draft work plan reflecting amendments for final inputs, after which it would be submitted for approval and further implementation by Member States and Dialogue Partners.

Updates were provided on key CGT-led initiatives. Mauritius reported on the successful IORA Workshop on Nature-Based Tourism and Lessons Learned from COVID-19, held from 3 to 5 May 2023. The workshop examined the role of nature-based tourism in post-pandemic recovery, sustainability and resilience, visitor management, marketing strategies, and lessons learned from COVID-19. An update was also provided on the Virtual IORA Capacity-Building Programme for Women-Owned and Led Tourism Businesses, held on 16 March 2023 to mark International Women’s Day, with reports from both events to be circulated shortly.

The meeting noted progress on the IORA Study on Women’s Economic Empowerment in Tourism, conducted by Dr Lucy Ferguson under South Africa’s coordination. Dr Ferguson presented a draft report outlining key findings, recommendations, and a proposed action plan. 

Member States shared updates on upcoming initiatives, including France’s work on a sustainable whale and dolphin watching network and a Tourism Resource Centre, Italy’s specialised training course on sustainable coastal and marine tourism, and Malaysia’s proposed workshop on coastal and marine protection linked to the blue economy.