Amity Institute of Travel and Tourism organised its 6th Annual Convention on World Tourism Day 2009 on the theme Diversity in Tourism- An Engine to Unite the World at Amity University Campus, Sector-125, Noida.

There has been a remarkable growth and development in the Travel and Tourism Industry in the past decade. To bring awareness about the growing importance of travel and tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic values, Tourism Day is observed worldwide on this day every year.

Eminent guests who shared their views with the distinguished gathering included Smt. Rina Ray, IAS, Managing Director, Delhi Touirism and Transport Development Corporation, Ms. Alice Wang, Country Director, China National Tourists Office, Mr. Rajji Rai, President, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Mr. Deepak Behl, Director (HR), Hotel International (Eros Group), New Delhi.

Smt. Rina Ray, IAS, Managing Director, Delhi Touirism and Transport Development Corporation said although she is in the bureaucracy but by heart she is an activist. She opined , “ it is of no use blaming the government for all the mishappenings. She advised students to shoulder individual civic responsibilities towards the society and help keep our cities clean to showcase ourselves in the Common Wealth Games. She advised students to bring value, ethics and responsibility together which will then be a win win situation always. Speaking about the training programs initiated by the Government she said that there is a need to see the interpretation of knowledge into practice.

Ms. Alice Wang, Country Director, China National Tourists Office, expressed her gratitude to Amity University on behalf of China tourism. While speaking on the bi-lateral relationship between India and China she said, “there were many reasons behind the tourism bridge of India and China. Especially history and spirituality links the two countries”. She also said that in 2008 Ministry of Indian Tourism built its office in Beijing.” Adding more information she said, “yoga, spirituality and hospitality are the important aspects due to which the bond between the two countries are growing stronger.” She insisted on introducing more students exchange program between China and India since China tourism industry need Chinese speaking people.

Mr. Rajji Rai, President, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) thanked Amity University to make him be a part of the occasion. He said that the students would have felt astounded to choose a sunrise industry like Amity University. While speaking on the potentiality of the tourism industry he said, “be it in-bound or out-bound there is a vast area to be explored. Tourism can be sub-divided into beach, historical, spiritual, pilgrimage, medical and spa. It has to be tapped in proper way. It is important for the students to bring home the customers and astound the customers to keep coming back again. Our expectations should be to have the best out of the customers to the company. The customer should be your priority.”

While addressing the gathering Mr. Deepak Behl, Director (HR), Hotel International (Eros Group), New Delhi said people looked India with high hopes in the tourism aspect. Indian jewelry, gems, garments, tea, spices and even Information Technology are dominating the world. Now it is seen that people from all over the world are coming to India for relaxing and incredible India campaign has proved it. With the Common Wealth Games round the corner, India is gearing up to make a mark of itself which can only be achieved with students of hospitality and tourism.

On September 24, 2009 a debate on the theme, ‘Diversity in Tourism- An Engine to Unite the World’ was organized and the winners were Nishant and Vinayak of Amity School of Telecommunication and Management, first runners up Vandana Rathore and Anupam Tiwari of Amity International Business School, second runners up Neha Rajesh and Aneet Bagga of Amity Business School, first consolation prize winners Nidhi Kedial and Suyash Mathur of Indian Institute of Travel and Tourism, second consolation prize winners Sonia Dhondey and Shawal from Amity School of Hospitality.

Cultural dance performed during event

Inauguration of the event

Ms. Alice Wang, Country Director, China National Tourists Office addressing the gathering

Punjabi dance performed by students

From L-R Ms Rina Ray, IAS, Managing Director, Delhi Touirism and Transport Development Corporation, Maj Gen K.J. Singh, Vice Chancellor, Amity University, Mr. Rajji Rai President, Travel Agents Association of India

Mr. Deepak Behl, Director (HR), Hotel International (Eros Group), New Delhi addressing the gathering