23 Sep 2010-24 Sep 2010|Noida | Amity University, Noida Campus
“Amity Institute of Travel and Tourism celebrates World Tourism Day with a two day Annual Convention”
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