As part of the European Union Project under Work Package 2, a two-day workshop was jointly organised by the Department of Tourism Studies, Pondicherry University, in collaboration with partner institutions from Latvia, Portugal, the National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (NITHM), DTORR, and other stakeholders in India. The workshop aimed to strengthen the integration of academic insights and industry perspectives to reshape tourism education and ensure its alignment with current industry demands.
The first day of the workshop, held at Residency Towers, Pondicherry, focused on engaging with leading stakeholders from academia and the tourism and hospitality industry. Participants shared real-time insights and practical challenges, particularly around the convergence of tourism, technology, and sustainability. The central theme revolved around evolving industry expectations and how academic institutions can update curricula to meet these emerging trends.
Key Highlights from Day 1 Discussions:
Tourism, Technology, and Sustainability: Several real-time case studies were discussed, showcasing how tourism destinations blend technology with sustainability, including gamification, innovative tourism tools, and reward-based eco-point systems for tourists who opt for eco-friendly options.
Policy and Governance: The introduction of e-pass systems for hill stations, proactive sustainability-focused policies, and adaptive reuse of local culture, cuisines, and arts were strongly emphasized.
Industry Feedback and Community Involvement: Stakeholders stressed the need to promote locally curated experiences that actively engage host communities and artisans. Tourism Academic institutions were urged to become employment generators by fostering entrepreneurship instead of producing job-seekers.
Skills, Education, and Employability: There was a strong call for redesigning academic programs in tourism and hospitality to reflect ground realities. Suggestions included introducing tourism-related skill development from the school level, improving enrollment in hospitality colleges, and establishing a dedicated Tourism and Hospitality Council to monitor employment and promote entrepreneurship.
Data and Smart Systems: The group emphasized that reliable and accurate tourism data must be collected and shared publicly for better planning and policy development.
Youth-Centric and Future-Ready Education: A significant portion of the discussion was devoted to understanding the needs of Gen Z and Gen Alpha tourists, who are increasingly responsible and conscious consumers.
Sustainability and Localism: Emphasis was placed on promoting “Vocal for Local” strategies, encouraging local cuisines, souvenirs, art forms, and community-based tourism itineraries. There was consensus on promoting the ‘Farm-to-Table’ concept and documenting successful local practices in public domains for wider awareness.
Inclusivity and Gender Participation: Increasing female workforce participation and creating more inclusive workspaces in the tourism sector were also discussed as integral to achieving sustainable development goals.
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