CU Celebrates World Tourism Day
Chandigarh, September 27, 2016: “With 8.03 million foreign tourists arrival, India currently ranks 40th in terms of International Tourists visiting in 2015 and is growing at a rate of 4.5% annually as per the statistics revealed by UNWTO (United National World Tourism Organization)” said Ashish Sharma, a 2nd year student of B.Sc. Airlines Tourism, while speaking during a paper presentation competition held at University Institute of Tourism & Hospitality Management, Chandigarh University Gharuan. Students of UITHM at Chandigarh University took part in various competitions which were organized on the eve of World Tourism Day. World Tourism Day is celebrated all around the world on 27th September to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value. UNO has adopted a Global theme for WTD-2016 as “Tourism for All - promoting universal accessibility" which means creation of environment which makes tourism accessible to all especially Disable Persons, Aged Persons.
A team of UITHM students visited Chandigarh International Airport Terminal and Chandigarh Railway Station to welcome the domestic and international visitors. While participating in Paper Presentation competition, Shivani Kapoor, 1st year Hotel Management student, “The year 2016 is a proud moment for Chandigarh Tricity residents in tourism front as International flights have been made operational at Chandigarh International Airport and Capitol Complex designed by French Architect Le-Corbusier has been awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO”. The tourism inflow to Chandigarh tri-city region would get boost with the increased connectivity with the world, stressed Shivani. Highlighting the importance of Tourism for Economy, Shikha Aggarwal, another student of B.Sc. Airlines Tourism said, “Tourism sector contributed about Rs. 8.22 trillion or 7% of India’s GDP and generated 37.4 million jobs in 2015 which made Tourism & Hospitality Industry the 3rd largest industry in terms of employment generation”. She further added that “According to a report by the World Travel and Tourism Council, the Indian travel and tourism industry is likely to see a spurt in growth this year on the back of new visa reforms”.
Competitions such as Rangoli Making, Best Dressed in Traditional Attire, Extempore, Paper Presentation and International Cuisines Making were organized to mark celebrations of World Tourism Day 2016 at university campus. While addressing the students, Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chancellor, Chandigarh University said “The growth of Tourism in India is clearly visible as Government has focused itself to increase connectivity between important cities by developing new airports and improving the railway & road connectivity”.