Distinction in travel journalism
Is independent travel journalism important to you?
Click here to keep it independent

18 Dec, 2017

World-class research at Aligarh Muslim University tourism conference

Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India — Although this was the first tourism research conference held at Aligarh Muslim University, the subject matter and depth of the presentations were world-class. Of the nearly 140 presentations included in the abstracts, 36 were devoted to the impact of the situation in Kashmir. Numerous others focussed on issues such as peace tourism, medical tourism, religious and spiritual tourism, the role of technology, branding, marketing and Human Resources Development.

More than 150 academics and student researchers participated. Aligarh Muslim University is hoping to use the conference as a platform to establish a full-fledged Department of Travel & Tourism Studies. Travel & tourism is presently just a course under the Department of Commerce.

Among the many eminent professors speaking at the event were Prof Tania Hossain (Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan), Prof Khaliq Ahmad (International Islamic University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Prof Nimit Chowdhary (Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi), Prof Monika Prakash (IITTM, Noida), Dr Shafali Nagpal (Bhagat Phul Singh Mahila Vishwavidyalaya) and Dr Anukrati Sharma (University of Kota, Rajasthan).

Also included was a Special Session on Heritage and Responsible Tourism By Dr. Soumi Roy and Dr. Sachin Bansal (India CityWalks), Special Session on Behavioral Change and Image Rebuilding of Service Providers By Dr. Navin Gupta Director, HIMCS, and New Business Idea Generation in Tourism by Mr. Ravi Prakash, (CEO, askravi.in)

The conference is in keeping with the Indian policy to boost the tourism and hospitality sector via a range of measures such as expanding the e-visa scheme, setting up of five special tourism zones, special pilgrimage or tourism trains and worldwide launch of Incredible India campaign among others.

One of a three-part compendium on the first Tourism Research conference held at Aligarh Muslim University between Nov 27-29, 2017 on the theme of “New Tourism Paradigms in a Changing World: Innovations, Dynamics and Future Perspectives”.

Click on the headlines below to read the other two stories:

Aligarh Muslim University – Much more than just a University

In pictures: The amazing grace and rustic charm of Aligarh Old City

According to the organisers, “The conference will initiate constructive dialogue on perspective from developing countries and will be complemented by experiences which will help participants to gain exposure and to evaluate national and regional strategies.

“This Conference will keep attendees from being insulated from what is going on in the real world. It is important to hear what is going right with other dealers, not just listening to naysayers. This Conference will therefore attempt to explore how the trends described will affect the shape of tourism services in India particularly.”

The conference note says, “With the scope of outstanding educational content and idea generation on varied aspects of tourism in one place, having representatives from various countries and all parts of India, the conference will give our team of leaders (both in the industry and government) access to top strategies and best practices that will help to reduce costs, increase efficiencies, innovate, plan for future and build value in various aspects of tourism industry in India.”

Titles of some of the sample presentations are listed below. For a full set of the presentations, pls contact the conference organising secretary, Prof Sheeba Hamid at amutourismconference@gmail.com.

A few examples of the research presentations


Pictures of the event

Prof Tariq Mansoor, Vice Chancellor, Aligarh Muslim University

Sandeep Kulshreshtha, Director & Professor at Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, Gwalior.

Prof. Dr. Nimit Chowdhary, Professor and Head of Department of Tourism, Hotel, Hospitality and Heritage Studies of Jamia Millia Islamia.

Dr Sheema Tarab, Assistant Professor, Dept of Commerce, AMU

Prof Samina Khan, Dept of English, AMU

Dr Shafali Nagpal, Assoc Prof in Management, Bhagat Phulsingh Mahila Viswavidyalaya

Dr Anukrati Sharma, Associate Professor, Faculty of Commerce and Management, University of Kota, Rajasthan.

Imtiaz Muqbil, Executive Editor, Travel Impact Newswire

Dr Prashant Harishchandra Bhagat, Assistant Prof, Dept of Commerce, Chetana College, Mumbai, and Dr Laman Sami, Dept of Commerce, AMU

Dr. Tania Hossain, Associate Professor of Sociolinguitics, Waseda University, Tokyo, and Prof Khaliq Ahmad, International Islamic University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Prof Sheeba Hamid, Faculty of Commerce, AMU (second left); Prof Nawab Ali Khan, Dean, Faculty of Commerce, AMU (with tie, third left); Prof Syed Hussain Ashraf, Dept of Commerce, AMU ( fourth left); Prof M. Mohsin Khan, Chairperson, Dept of Commerce, AMU (third right). The lady in the centre is Prof Anukrati Sharma.