Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 20: A two- day international conference on “Sustainable Destination Excellence: Rebuilding from Crisis and Disasters”, organized by the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (SHTM), University of Jammu, began today.
Minister of Education Naeem Akhtar, who was chief guest in the inaugural function, said that there is need to create awakening and consciousness among all the stakeholders of tourism industry and highlight the importance of sustainability. He emphasized that the community and local residents should be sensitized the importance of protection and preservation of local resources. He called upon the department to develop case studies of certain destinations and create awareness on conservation of ecological heritage.
JU Vice-Chancellor Prof R D Sharma, who presided over the function, emphasized that such academic initiative should result in bringing out important policy implications and develop a road map for implementing key suggestions that come out during the conference.
Prof Kaslom Kayat, Director, Research and Innovation Centre, University Utara, Malaysia, in her key note address, traced back the history of sustainability and emphasized that the concept of progress is to use the resources responsibly. She said that development of destinations should keep in consideration economic, social and environmental goals while ensuring equity in development.
Farooq Ahmad Shah, MD, JKTDC and Director Tourism, Kashmir, said that preservation of destinations is equally important. He suggested that a special fund for preservation and protection of tourism should be created.
Prof Keshav Sharma, Dean, Faculty of Business Studies JU, said that the theme of conference is timely keeping in view recent crisis and disasters that J&K has witnessed. Earlier Prof Parikshat Singh Manhas, Director, SHTM and Conference Convener, highlighted the recent achievements of the School.
Dr Anil Gupta, Conference Secretary, presented formal vote of thanks while Dr Suvidha Nna, Conference Coordinator conducted proceedings of the function.
The conference is being attended by faculty members and research scholars from various national level universities, members of civil society, representative of industry, trade and commerce and students.
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