Central University of Punjab organised special lecture on sustainable tourism and skills required for tourism industry

Bathinda, June 27, 2023: The School of Management, under the patronage of the Honourable Vice Chancellor, Prof. R.P. Tiwari, at the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda (CUPB), organized two invited lectures on ‘Sustainable Tourism’ and ‘Skills Required for the Tourism Industry’. The invited speaker for his programme was Prof. Sandeep Kulshreshtha, Ex Chairman – All India Board of Hotel and Tourism Management, AICTE, Ministry of Education, and Ex Director, Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management.

At the outset, Dr. Anand Thakur, Dean of the School of Management, welcomed the participants and introduced the programme theme.

Prof. Sandeep Kulshreshtha commenced his first lecture by stating that rapid growth, infrastructure development, and advancement in the transportation sector have led to growth in the tourism industry. But the situation of COVID-19, natural calamities, and immense pressure on the environment and cultural heritage sites have reminded us to focus on the adoption of responsible tourism practises. He defined Sustainable Tourism as the concept of managing resources in such a way that economic, social, and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, biological diversity, and a life support system. He underlined that Sustainable Tourism cannot be possible without community involvement, urban and rural planning, and the development of superstructures. He asserted that the government and local administration should provide tourist in their region with the opportunity to enjoy nature, reduce tension, learn new things, have a safe environment, and have essential amenities to promote the growth of tourism industry.

In the second lecture, Prof. Kulshreshtha provided valuable insights into the core competencies and expertise demanded by the multifaceted tourism industry. He emphasised the need for professionals in the tourism industry to possess exceptional people skills, empathy, and the ability to anticipate and exceed customer expectations. He shared the role of the tour guide, tour squad, and tour manager in providing memorable experiences to travellers and career opportunities in this field. He underlined that to build a successful career in the travel industry, youngsters need to stay updated with industry trends, leverage technology, and develop innovative strategies to attract and retain customers.

Towards the end, Dr. Anand expressed gratitude to Prof. Kulshreshtha for enlightening the participants. Faculty members and students attended the talk.