26 Sep 2017|Noida | Amity Campus, Sector-125, Noida
Faculty of Hospitality & Tourism celebrates World Tourism Day
“Over 1.2 billion people cross the borders every year to travel to other countries whereas only 8.8 million people come to India. India with 5,000 years old civilization, amazing culture, beaches, back waters, hill stations and philosophical school of thoughts, is lagging behind in Tourism”, remarked Hon’ble Sh. K.J. Alphons , Minister of State, Tourism ( I/C) Union Govt. of India during Annual Conference on “Neo Tourism & Hospitality-Vehicle for World Peace& Sustainable Development” organized by Faculty of Hospitality &Tourism, Amity University on the occasion of World Tourism Day at University Campus,Sector-125, Noida.
Expressing his concern, Hon’ble Minister stated “Despite India being endowed with magic,we are not able to market India in the global economy; rather India has been singled out as an “Unsafe country”. He expressed that entire India is a garbage dump and it is the people only who are dumping garbage so they themselves have to take the responsibility of keeping their neighbourhood clean.“If everyone takes the onus, the country would become clean; civilization is within us and if we don’t demonstrate it then there is no civilization, opined Hon’ble Minister. He called upon the youth to carry in their hearts a mission to make India a better place and to take steps to ensure that in next 5 years,over 25 million come to India every year.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Ashok K Chauhan- Founder President, Amity Group applauded the grand vision of Hon’ble Minister and on behalf of all Amity students, committed that the vision of increased flow of Tourists to India would be fulfilled in next two years. Dr. Chauhan stated that India has tremendous scope for Tourism especially Medical Tourism and Religious Tourism and Amity students will take the Sector to greater heights.
HE Dr. Sabit Subasic, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while sharing his views, stated that Tourism is a crucial aspect for public diplomacy and he, as an Ambassador of his country, has been entrusted with the responsibility of making people aware about his country, its rich culture and Tourism. Tourism Diplomacy, he stressed, is crucial in diplomatic job of an Ambassador. He briefed audience with Bosnia and Herzegovina and invited the students to go and experience the majestic country themselves.
Sharing his views, Prof. (Dr.) M. Sajnani, Dean Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism& Director, Amity Institute of Travel and Tourism highlighted the relevance of the topic of the Conference and stressed that the Conference has brought together experts speakers from various allied sectors of the economy. He called upon the students to learn the most out of the discussions and deliberations by the experts during day long Conference.
HE Mrs. Nguyen LeThanh, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Vietnam stressed that Tourism Sector helps in social and economic development of a country and alleviates poverty. She remarked that India with 1.3 billion people, enchanting landscape, flora and fauna, is a goldmine for Tourism Development. She further appraised the gathering with the dynamic economy and robustly developed Tourism Industry in Vietnam.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Subhash Goyal shared that Tourism is an unstoppable force which contributes to people to people relationships, thereby, acts as a great contributor to world peace and prosperity. He shared that the total contribution of Travel & Tourism to GDP was 10.2% of GDP globally in 2016 and the sector created 40.3 million jobs in 2016. He stressed that Tourism is a labor intensive industry and involves people at every step, therefore, Tourism Sector has a multiplier effect on job creation and is geared to herald next revolution in the country. . He remarked that Tourism sector alone can generate 100 million jobs in the country and can reduce unemployment and poverty in the country. He stressed that the challenge is to keep the Industry sustainable andnot to destroy the flora, fauna and water bodies of the country in the name of Tourism. He called upon the young generation to plant trees and save the earth from global warming, floods and other natural calamities.
Also present during the inauguration were Dr. A K Merchant- National Trustee of Lotus Temple & Baha'i Community of India, Mr. Gagan Sharma, Head Operations,(India & Nepal) Air Mauritius and Mr. Sami Saran, Expert on Agri Tourism,South Africa.
Students from Amity Institute of Travel and Tourism presented a colorful cultural programme which was appreciated by one and all.