New Delhi, March 02, 2017: India International Hotel Travel and Tourism Research Conference, organized by Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology 17th to 18th February, 2017 was inaugurated with lamp lighting by Chief Guest, Dr. Gulshan Sharma, Director General, International Chamber for Service Industry and the Guest of Honour, Ms. Nita Baluni, Area Director-HR, North & West, SWA at IHG, Professor Phillip FieifanXie, Dean, Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau, China, Mr. Rishab Tandon, Human Resource and Training Manager, Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla, Dr. Bhupesh Kumar, President IIHTTRC & Director, BCIHMCT, Dr. Shusha Gupta, ShriBanarsidas Chandiwala Sewa Smarak Trust Scociety, Mr. Pradeep Gupta, Dy. Director Administration, BCIHMCT and Mr. AlokAswal, Convenor, IIHTTRC.
The annual Hospitality & Tourism Research Journal – “Indian Journal of Applied Hospitality & Tourism Research”, Vol. 8, (ISSN 0975-4954), indexed with ISRA and ISBN Book – “Trends and Issues in Indian Hospitality and Tourism: Research and Innovations” were released during the inauguration ceremony.
Ms. Nita Baluni in her speech informed about the fast-growing travel and tourism industry and the various innovations of hotel industry. Deliberating about similarities between service and hotel industry, Ms. Baluni insisted that we should build relationships with the brands and concluded that the customer is the king, therefore the focus should always be on the guests and their needs.
Dr. Gulshan Sharma, Director General, International Chamber for Service Industry while giving his discourse, interacted actively with the audience and informed the importance of grabbing the opportunity and using it to the hilt is the key for success as opportunities don’t come knocking that easily. He discussed upcoming tourism which is Cinematic Tourism and it’s various impacts around the globe. Focus on building relationships will pave way and create everlasting goodwill according to Dr Sharma.
Professor Phillip FieifanXie delivered a Key Note on “Creativity and Innovation in Hospitality and Tourism”. He discussed about the uniqueness of Hospitality and Tourism in Macau. He went on to explain the challenges for Gaming Industry, the opening of Studio City, transformation of Casino Industry, Creative Tourism, advent of Smart Hotels (SH) and Smart Tourism destination (STD). He gave new terms like “Bleisure” (Business + Leisure) and Edutainment (Education and Entertainment). He emphasised that everyone is looking for authentic experience and that the future lies in Mobile ready services,Greater food and beverage options, Service based Luxury and Authenticity.
Dr. Bhupesh Kumar, thanking all dignitaries, delegates, paper presenters and sponsors said that the research paper presenters are the life blood of the conference. He said, “Such initiatives have immense potential to generate ideas and concepts that can create a momentum for Travel, Tourism and Hospitality, and such a conference shall elevate the standard of Hospitality and tourism based researches”.
Mr. RishabTandon, gave a presentation on “Career by Chance or Career by Choice”, in which he explained especially to the scholars and students of hospitality that success is never by chance, but by choice. He also explained the importance of having hobbies that one is passionate about to lead a more meaningful life.
The Conference explored overall themes related to Hotel, Travel and Tourism during the two days of IIHTTRC through deliberations on 5 main issues: (1) Tourism & Hospitality Trends, Issues & Challenges, Chaired by Dr. Inayat Ali Zaidi; (2) Food Culture & Innovations, Chaired by Dr. Paramita Suklavaidya; (3) Hospitality Education & Human Resource Development, Chaired by Mr. RishabTandon; (4) Tourism & Hospitality Marketing & Consumer Behaviour, Chaired by Mr. Kamal Piyush; and (5) Destination Planning, Sustainable Development & Promotion, Chaired byDr. Phillip FieifanXie. The Best Paper Award was given to Mr. Vasanthan Sigamany and Mr. S. Kaliappan, W.G.S.H.A.,Manipal on their paper titled, “An Exploratory Study on Awareness and Challenges in Implementing HACCPIn Institutional Catering Outlets in a University Town” and the Best Paper Presenter Award was given to Mr. A. K. Poonia, Manipal University, Jaipur, on his paper, “Indian Tourism Advertising and Promotion: An Area Awaiting Academic Research and Study”.
Dr.Parikshat Singh Manhas, Professor, The Business School & Director, School of Hospitality &Toursim Management, University of Jammu, India, gave a Keynote on “Emerging Trends & Innovations in Hospitality & Tourism Industry: A Global Insight” which enlightened the gathering that new products are brought in the market when customer needs are not met or when breakthrough happens for a product.
A Panel Discussion on “Transitioning the mind for Success in Career: From Hotel Management Graduate to Hotel Leader” took place on February 18, 2016 comprising of panelists namely:Mr. Ramendra Pratap Singh, General Manager Park Plaza Noida, Delhi NCR; Mr. Indrashis Sinha, EAM – F & B, Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla; Mr. Varun Balwani, RDM, The Roseate, New Delhi; Mr. Abhishek Saxena, Corporate Manager, Quality and Talent Development, Radisson BLU MBD Hotel, Delhi NCR; Mr. Douglas Peter, VP – HR & Strategy, The Quorum Hotel, Bangalore, and the discussion was moderated by Mr. Rishab Tandon, HR and Training Manager, Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla. The panel unanimously agreed that Industry and people dynamics, both are changing, therefore the hotel industry has become one of the most sought after careers. The panel stressed on the fact that Hotel Industry is an interesting journey, only for those who are humble, disciplined, adaptable, passionate and most importantly geographically and functionally mobile. It was framed out during the discussion that Hotel Management Colleges need to incorporate Entrepreneurial Skill Training, without waiting for universities to change the curriculum. It was unanimously agreed upon that the industry has changed its way of dealing with internal customers and the focus today is on “Employee satisfaction”.
A theme lunch “The Colonials”depicting the Era of British Raj and Rajasthani themed dinner “Kathputli” were organized by the final year students of Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology for the conference delegates. Students of BCIHMCT also gave colourful cultural performance comprising of Rajasthani Song, Rajasthani Dance, Bhangra, Contemporary Dance and a Musical Band Performance for the conference delegates which was appreciated and applauded by the audience. A “Culture Trip” to Agra was also organized for the conference delegates on 19th February.
Corporate Comm India(CCI Newswire)
