Amity Institute of Travel and Tourism with great enthusiasm and reverence inaugurated and conducted the 8th convention on 22nd Sep - 23Sep 2011 to mark the significance of World Tourism Day which is celebrated all over the world on 27th Sep each year. This was organized in C block auditorium of Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, Sector 125. On the auspicious occasion, pre inaugural session started with introducing the 8th Convention by Prof. (Dr.) Manohar Sajnani, Director Amity Institute of Travel and Tourism, and the welcome of our guest speakers by the senior faculty members of Amity institute of Travel and Tourism, followed by address of three key speakers invited for the day. Mr. D. K Bakshi, Indo-Thai Chamber of Commerce & CEO Global Talent Consultant Co. Ltd. mesmerized the gathering with his motivational address. Mr. Mathew Cooper, General Manager, Courtyard by Marriot, conveyed the importance of linking cultures and his magical journey over the years and Mr. Navin Rizvi, Vice President India & Head Business Development, ICE – Integrated Conference and Events, India shared his vast experience.
From L-R Prof. (Dr.) Manohar Sajnani, Director AITT, Mr. Mathew Cooper, General Manager, Courtyard by Marriot, Mr. D. K Bakshi, Indo-Thai Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Navin Rizvi, Vice President India & Head Business Development, ICE
Mr. Mathew Cooper, General Manager, Courtyard by Marriot addressing the gathering
Inaugural session started with the introduction and welcome of the Chief Guest, Prof. (Dr.) D S Rathore, followed by the lighting of the traditional lamp to invoke the blessings of goddess Saraswati. The auditorium was vibrating with the energy and experience by the presence of the Corporate leaders from the industry, Mr. Anumod Gagan Sharma, Managing Director, Kingdom of Dreams, Mr. Ankur Bhatia, Managing Director, Bird Group. Mr. Arjun Sharma, Managing Director Le Passage to India, regretted his presence due to some previous commitment. Our Corporate leaders were welcomed by Prof. (Dr.) Manohar Sajnani, Director, Amity Institute of Travel and Tourism. An Overview of Amity was presented by Maj. Gen. R K Dhawan, Sr. Vice President, International Affairs Division. This was followed by the address of our worthy Chief Guest Prof. (Dr.) D S Rathore. Time had come to sit back and enjoy the cultural show put up by the students of Amity Institute of Travel and Tourism. The effort was made to reflect and justify the theme of the day Tourism- Linking Culture. Students performed a classical dance , Korean Dance, Flaminco dance, Rajasthani Dance followed by the Carnival and concluded the cultural saga with National Anthem of INDIA.
The great moments of witnessing the award ceremony arrived. To honour the awardees we had with us Honble Founder President Sir, Dr. Ashok K Chauhan, Maj. Gen. K J Singh, the Vice Chancellor, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh and Director Amity Institute of Travel and Tourism Prof. Dr. Manohar Sajnani. We celebrated the success of the winners of inter university debate competition held on 22Sep 2011 by awarding them the team trophy and sponsored travel packages. This was followed by the corporate awards to the Lead Sponsors and the sponsors of the day. Towards the end the glorious moments of honoring the corporate leaders was witnessed by the gathering. They were presented with the Citation and a corporate gift to acknowledge and appreciate their contribution, dedication and unparallel success in the industry.
Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan, Founder President, Amity Group addressing the gathering
Prof. (Dr.) Manohar Sajnani, Director, Amity Institute of Travel and Tourism addressing the gathering
Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan, Founder President, Amity Group presenting the award to Mr. Ankur Bhatia, Managing Director, Bird Group
At the end Vote of Thanks was given by the senior faculty member of Amity Institute of Travel and Tourism.
Students presenting cultural program during 8th convention
Convocation
On September 22, 2011 Inter University Debate Competition on the theme” Is Tourism Responsible for Commodifying Cultures and Cultural Attractions?” was organised. The jury members consisted of Mr. Sanjeev Bhandari, Director, UTS, Mr. Joy D. Gupta , Managing Director, Omega Travels, Mr. Rothin Sirkar, Managing Director, Tour Lovers. 20 teams participated from different universities. Including teams from Jamia Milia Islamia, M D University Rohtak, Delhi University colleges and more premier institutions to complete the list. Winner team adjudged is IITTM (Ministry of Tourism, Government of India),Delhi, 1st Runner up IHM Pusa , (Ministry of Tourism, Government of India). 2nd Runner up Jamia Milia Islamia. Along with this 3 special awards announced on the spot by jury were Best Speaker , Best Presentation and Best Jury Award.
Winners were given a team trophy along with a travel package for 2 of 4nights 5days to Andaman. 1st Runner up was given a team trophy along with a travel package for 2 of 3nts 4days to Ooty. 2nd Runner up was given a team trophy along with the meal coupons for 2 for different restaurants of Delhi / NCR. The special awardees will be given a package for 1night 2 days to Rishikesh for rafting.
Paper News:
09/24/2011 : World Tourism Day celebrated at Amity Institute of Travel & Tourism
Rashtriya sahara - Noida - Page 05
09/24/2011 : Amity Institute of Travel and Tourism celebrated World Tourism Day
Hindi Hindustan - Noida - Page 21
09/24/2011 : Amity Institute of Travel and Tourism celebrated World Tourism Day
Dainik Jagran - Noida - Page No 24
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Amity Institute of Travel and Tourism organized “7th Annual Convention” to mark the celebration of World Tourism Day. The theme identified by the UN World Tourism Organization for this year’s World Tourism Day is “Tourism and Bio-Diversity which is observed worldwide on September 24 every year.
The convention witnessed the presence of travel and tourism industry stalwarts from various organizations who threw light upon the aforementioned theme. The corporate giants made the students aware of the immense potential of travel and tourism industry.
The eminent guests during the valediction of the convention included Guest of Honor, Mr. Inder Sharma, Chairman, Select Group & Chairman Inder Sharma Foundation, Lt Gen (Retd) K.M. Seth,PVSM, AVSM (Retd), President, FAST, Mr. Tushar Pandey, Group Executive Vice President and Country Head, Central & State Govts. – Strategic Advisory Services (SIAG), Mr. M.L. Arrawatia IFS – Secretary – DST & Climate Change & member Secretary – Sikkim State Council of Science and Technology, Govt. of Sikkim and Prof. (Dr.) Philippe Cadene - Attaché for Scientific & University Cooperation, Embassy of France.
Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan, Hon’ble Founder President, RBEF & Amity Group of Educational & Research Institution, Maj Gen K Jai Singh, Vice Chancellor, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, Dr. B. Shukla, Pro-Vice Chancellor, (A), Amity University Uttar Pradesh and Prof. (Dr.) M. Sajnani, Director, Amity Institute of Travel and Tourism were present during the valediction of the Annual Convention.
While addressing the august gathering Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan, Hon’ble Founder President, RBEF & Amity Group of Educational & Research Institutions said that India is unparallel in various areas globally. Travel and tourism is one of the sectors through which we can make a mark in the world. This industry is significant not only for increasing the GDP of India but will also help in building the image of India on the global map.
Mr. Inder Sharma, Chairman, Select Group & Chairman Inder Sharma Foundation shared that his foundation is looking forward to join hands with Amity University and work for the betterment of the country. Speaking on the hospitality culture of our country he said that tourism and hospitality are it is there in Indian blood and culture for centuries. He added that our domestic tourism is extremely large, vivid and fantastic. We have the culture and the potential but we need to re-establish it in modern terms. He mentioned the five A’s as guidelines for the betterment and upliftment of travel and tourism industry. They are Accessibility, Acceptability, Affordability, Accountability and Audit. He stressed that if one wants to be in the travel and tourism industry one has to continuously upgrade and use lot of common sense as it is a sunshine industry with ample opportunities. Mr. Inder Sharma announced the setting up of a chair in honor of Late Shri Ghulam Naqshband by way of a Scholarship of Rs. 5 lakh for the students of Amity Institute of Travel and Tourism till the corpus fund reaches to 20 lakh for research and training programme.
Lt Gen (Retd) K.M. Seth,PVSM, AVSM (Retd), President, FAST said, “ travel and tourism is pivotal in social, economic and cultural progress of the country. There are lots of scenic destinations in our country which needs to be tracked and developed as tourist attraction. The local people of such places should get involved in the supply chain of local crafts. Another aspect which needs immediate attention is infrastructure which needs huge investments, possible with the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. The Incredible India Campaign which was launched two years back has credibly marked India. At present bio- diversity of India showcased internationally to attract the tourists.
Mr. M.L. Arrawatia IFS – Secretary – DST & Climate Change & member Secretary – Sikkim State Council of Science and Technology, Govt. of Sikkim while giving an insight of Sikkim’s bio-diversity informed the august gathering that Sikkim has the countries 1/3rd bio-diversity which comprises of unusual flora and fauna. 550 varieties of birds, 700 species of butterflies and 7500 medicinal plants are found in Sikkim. The entire state is covered with forests which provide a unique opportunity for the development of tourism in our country. Infact, Sikkim tourism was developed without harming the natural resources. It is earning huge foreign exchange for the country through the regular visit of foreign tourists. The Sikkim Government is working for community development programmes like the hydro power projects for the purpose. The local community is harnessing the natural resources, scenic beauty without disturbing the environment by putting a softer foot. Through the local people the income of the state’s population is also generated. He advised the students to promote the bio-diversity of the state and the country without disturbing the ecological balance.
Mr. Inder Sharma, Chairman, Select Group & Chairman Inder Sharma Foundation was felicitated by Amity Life Time Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution in the field of travel and tourism for five decades.
During the eve of World Tourism Day, a Debate Competition on the theme “Can Tourism be used as an important instrument for the conservation of Biodiversity?” was organized by Amity Institute of Travel and Tourism at Amity Campus, Sector-44, Noida wherein 21 teams from various colleges of Delhi/ NCR participated.
The participants were adjudged by experts from tourism industry including Mr. Rothin Sircar – Managing Director, Tour Lovers India, Ms. Jyoti Koul – Head Analyst, Tourism, VIA , Mr. Love Chopra – Founder Chairman, Mera Career Guide.com and Mr. Joy Dutta Gupta – Managing Director, Omega Travels, who assessed confidence levels, communication sk1lls, body language and overall presentation of the participants.
The first prize comprising of of 4 days and 3 nights holiday package in Port Blair was conferred upon Ms. Sweeny Kumar and Ms. Alka Sengupta from Amity Business School, Ms. Meghna Mathews and Mr. Himanshu Gupta from Amity Institute of Social Sciences who were announced the First Runners-up received 4 days and 3 nights holiday package in Manali, Ms. Kajal Pahwaa and Ms. Pamela Massey from Amity Institute of Education (AIE), who were announced the Second Runners up, were given Meal Coupons of Coffee Shop at Imperial Hotel.
The two best speakers- Mr. Rohan from Amity Institute of Telecom Technology and Management (AITTM) and Ms. Sweeny Kumar from Amity Business School were given 5 days and 4 nights holiday package in France.The Consolation prize, which was 3 days and 2 nights holiday package in Manali, was given to Ms. Meghna Mathews from Amity Institute of Social Sciences
An Inter-Institution Collage Contest on the theme “Tourism and Bio-Diversity” was also organized during the day in which 11 teams from various colleges from Delhi/ NCR participated. Ms. Agneyta Saxena and Mr. Ishaan from IITTM, Pusa Campus received the first prize in the contest, which comprised of a “Certificate of Excellence” and Meal Coupons of Coffee Shop at Imperial Hotel. Ms. Sonal and Ms. Zoya Khan from Amity Institute of Travel and Tourism (AITT)who were announced First Runners up, received Meal Coupons of Coffee Shop at Imperial Hotel |