Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 27th September 2024
In celebration of World Tourism Day, a state-level seminar on the theme “Tourism and Peace” was organized at Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya (JNRM) on September 26, 2024. The event was coordinated by the Department of BBA Tourism, JNRM, in collaboration with the Directorate of Tourism, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, and the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
The seminar was inaugurated by the Secretary of Tourism, Mr. Vishwendra, who served as the chief guest. In his inaugural address, the Secretary highlighted the diverse and multi-sectoral nature of the tourism industry, emphasizing the importance of varied skill sets across different sectors. He pointed out the potential of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a global tourist destination, stressing the need to showcase its unique attractions and open up unexplored areas for tourism.
The emerald-green Andaman and Nicobar Islands have the capacity to attract tourists from around the globe, but we must present our products in different ways, said Mr. Vishwendra. He also underscored the importance of infrastructure development, adding that the Government of India is investing significantly in the islands’ infrastructure.
During his speech, the Secretary noted the substantial economic impact of tourism, calling on young people to dream big and pursue startups in the tourism sector, which he said holds untapped potential. He encouraged BBA students to engage regularly with industry stakeholders to gain practical insights into the sector, which thrives on individual initiative. He further emphasized the need to identify new products, work with the A&N Administration to develop policy frameworks, and foster entrepreneurship in tourism.
In addition to addressing the importance of skilling students for the growing manpower demands of the tourism industry, Mr. Vishwendra urged JNRM authorities to create tourism-related projects and establish dedicated cells to nurture innovative ideas.
Reflecting on the theme of World Tourism Day, “Tourism and Peace,” Mr. Vishwendra noted that safety is integral to travel. “One cannot travel if they do not feel safe. Peace is the foundation on which tourism thrives. Strong law and order are essential to ensuring tourism can prosper in any region,” he added.
The seminar saw prominent figures from the local tourism industry share their insights. Mr. Mohammed Jadwet, Managing Director of Makruzz, Mr. M. Vinod, President of the Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO), Mr. Tanveer Singh, President of the Youth Wing of the Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Mr. Saikat, Founder of Andaman Aquaholics, Mr. Uday Baskar, Founder of Andaman Stargazing, and Mr. Abdul Majeed, Vice President of FOATO, were among the key speakers.
The speakers offered valuable suggestions for the further development of tourism in the islands. They highlighted the importance of collaboration between the administration, industry, and educational institutions to boost tourism initiatives and enhance the islands’ appeal as a destination.
The Principal of JNRM, Dr. H.K. Sharma, graced the occasion as the guest of honor, while Mr. S. Ramakrishnan, Assistant Director of India Tourism, attended as a special guest. Dr. Seemanta Kumar Deka, Head of the Department of BBA Tourism, welcomed the gathering at the start of the seminar. The event concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Rajasekaran, Resource Person from the BBA Tourism department.
The seminar was coordinated by Dr. P. Abdul Salam, Assistant Professor, Department of BBA Tourism, JNRM.