6th India
International Hotel Travel & Tourism Research Conference
&
7th Indian Hospitality Congress Annual Conference
7th Indian Hospitality Congress Annual Conference
February
10th – 12th, 2016
India
International Hotel Travel and Tourism Research Conference, jointly organized
by Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management & Catering
Technology and Indian Hospitality Congress from 10th to
12th February, 2016 was inaugurated by Mr. Anil Bhandari, Chairman, AB Smart Concepts and Former Chairman &
MD, ITDC, India, Prof. Ashish Dahiya,
Head - Department of Tourism & Hotel Management, Central University of
Haryana, Dr. Paolo Mura, Senior Lecturer & Programme Director of the
Postgraduate Programmes, Graduate School of Hospitality and Tourism, Taylor’s
University, Malaysia and Prof. R. K.
Bhandari, Principal, BCIHMCT & President, IIHTTRC. A book - “Current
Issues and Emerging Trends in Hospitality & Tourism Research”
(ISBN: 9788192085050) along with the annual Hospitality Management Journal, “Indian
Journal of Applied Hospitality & Tourism Research” Vol. 8, (ISSN
0975-4954) A Special Issue: A Panoramic Perspective of Travel, Tourism &
Hospitality was released by dignitaries on the inaugural day .
The Conference explored overall themes related
to Hotel, Travel and Tourism during the first two days of IIHTTRC through
technical sessions that focused on a wide range of topics namely:- Emerging
Trends in Tourism, Travel and Hospitality; Contemporary Issues in Hospitality
& Tourism; Natural Disaster, Climate Change & Crisis Management in
Tourism & Hospitality; Ecotourism, Green Practices & Sustaining
Environment in Hospitality & Tourism; Tourism & Hospitality Economics
and Forecasting; Virtual Tourism, e-Tourism, ICT and Travel Technologies; Food
Safety, Quality and Innovations; Tourism & Hospitality Marketing Strategies
and Consumer Behavior; Hospitality & Tourism Education and Training;
Managing Human Resources in Hospitality and Tourism; Tourism & Hospitality
Business Strategies and Revenue Management. Ms. Anjira Mehta, a final year
student of WGSHA, Manipal, received Best Paper Presenter Award.
A Panel Discussion on “Global Hospitality Education
vis-a-vis Indian Hospitality Education” took place on February 12, 2016
comprising of panelists namely: Mr. Ramesh Takulia, Consultant, NCHMCT,
Ministry of Tourism & Former Director, L & D, Taj Hotels, Resorts and
Palaces; Dr. Sudhir Andrews, Executive Director, Skill Maker Training Services,
Dubai, UAE.; Prof. Y. G. Tharakan, Dean, Le Cordon Bleu School of Hospitality,
G.D. Goenka University; Mr. Anthony Page, General Manager, JW Marriott, New
Delhi; Mr. Deepak Behl, HR Director, The Grand, New Delhi; Dr. Paulo Mura, Programme
Director, Postgraduate Programmes, Graduate School of Hospitality and Tourism,
Taylor’s University, Malaysia and Prof. R.K. Bhandari, Principal, BCIHMCT, New
Delhi. It was unanimously agreed that a Change in Indian hospitality education is
needed through incorporation of new technology as well as restructuring and
benchmarking of curriculum. Also, the role of a teacher has to change to a
facilitator and students need to be treated as adults who must show curiosity
and passion towards learning. Emphasis on the development of entrepreneurial
skills through reflective assignments and interdisciplinary projects ought to
be a key feature of hospitality programmes.
The highlight of the conference was the Indian Hospitality Congress Awards. The
categories of awards felicitated by Prof.
Ashish Dahiya, Head - Department of Tourism & Hotel Management, Central
University of Haryana, included: Gallery of Legends, Honorary Life Membership, Young
Teacher Welcome Award, Promising Training Manager/ HR Director, The Aspiring Researchers
of Hospitality, Travel and Tourism, IHC Educators Award (IHCEA) at IHM, College
and University Education, President’s Award, Face of the Future and Budding
Hoteliers.
The Three day conference culminated in a Culture
Trip to “Surajkund International Crafts Mela”, Faridabad, Haryana
organized for all the participants and delegates.