Jammu, March 4: The two day 4th International Conference on “Sustainable Destination Excellence: Empowering Communities for Inclusive Tourism Development” concluded today at School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, University of Jammu. Jenab Sajad Gani Lone, Minister for Social Welfare, ARI and Trainings and Science and Technology was the Chief guest, Prof. R.D Sharma, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu presided over the function and Dr. Amir Shani, Department of Hotel and Tourism Management, Ben Gurion University of Negev delivered the valedictory address. The Conference was held under the convenorship of Prof. Parikshat Singh Manhas, Director School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, University of Jammu.
The welcome address was presented by Prof. Parikshat Singh Manhas, Director SHTM who said that this conference has set a new facet by bringing various tourism stakeholders to discuss and deliberate on various issues related to community empowerment, participation and sustainable development. He further presented the conference report wherein he talked about the various technical sessions during the conference and expressed gratitude to all the delegates for their enthusiastic participation and contributions. While during the valedictory function various national and international delegates spoke high about the conference and hospitality given to them.
Jenab Sajad Gani Lone, Minister for Social Welfare, ARI and Trainings and Science and Technology in his address said that the State has enormous tourism potential but a lot needs to be done in terms of infrastructure and facilities. And to meet the growing tourism demand, development of infrastructure of international standards is need of the hour subsequently keeping in mind the concept of sustainability. He further discussed how the community participation plays a pivotal role in the preservation of any fragile destination. He appreciated the efforts of the School of Hospitality & Tourism Management for organizing such International Conferences which can positively contribute in the sustainable development processes by bringing together various stakeholders, researchers, academicians and policymakers, whose valuable suggestions can be incorporated in the tourism planning process. He lauded the efforts of School of Hospitality and Tourism Management who under the leadership Prof. Parikshat Singh Manhas has grown in leaps and bounds
Dr. Amir Shani, Department of Hotel and Tourism Management. Ben Gurion University Israel in his valedictory address emphasised the importance of community participation in the tourism development and decision making process. He discussed how important it is to identify various favourable and unfavourable tourism impacts as such impacts have a grave impression on the quality of life of local residents. He further added that community participation can act as an instrument to gain local support for tourism development. He also elaborated on the various obstacles and challenges of community participation and suggested measures and techniques to overcome such issues.
Prof. R.D Sharma Vice Chancellor University of Jammu in his concluding remarks congratulated The School for holding such a wonderful and professionally productive event. He appreciated the theme of the conference which holds all the more relevance in the year 2017 which is declared as the International year of sustainable tourism for development by United Nations. He expressed appreciation to all the national and international delegated and resource person for their valuable contributions.
Prof. Keshav Sharma, Registrar University of Jammu presented the formal vote of thanks and acknowledged the participation of all the stakeholders of tourism industry for providing innovative inputs that will help in empowering communities for sustainable tourism development. The proceedings of the day were conducted by Dr. Suvidha Khanna, Conference Coordinator.
Earlier during the day a workshop for government tourism officers was organized which was attended by CEO of various tourism development authorities, members of industry, civil society. Dr. Wayne Liu, Deputy – Director, Tourism Bureau, Taiwan and Mr. Martin, Member Chamber and Industry, Budapest, Hungary was the resource person. Dr. Anil Gupta, Conference Secretary coordinated the proceedings of the workshop.
International Conference on Sustainable Destination Excellence concludes at JU
