On September 27, 2024, the Yuva Tourism Club of VVM’s Shree Damodar College of Commerce & Economics commemorated World Tourism Day with a series of engaging activities to highlight the theme “Tourism and Peace”. The event aimed to emphasize the integral role of tourism in promoting global harmony, cultural understanding, and peaceful coexistence. The day featured a thought-provoking session on “Tourism and Peace” and a creative Reel-Making Competition, both designed to inspire students to reflect how tourism can bridge cultural divides.
A session on Tourism & Peace:
The event started in Hall 2 with a compelling session by Mr. Raja Rajendra Rane, Senior Associate – Operations at Soul Traveling. Mr. Rane delivered an insightful presentation, shedding light on the transformative power of tourism in bridging cultural gaps, fostering tolerance, and encouraging mutual respect. He underscored the critical role of responsible tourism in dismantling stereotypes and promoting peaceful coexistence. With real-world examples and a nuanced perspective, he illustrated how tourism can shape a more harmonious world.
The session explored diverse facets of tourism, including its economic impact in promoting local development, the potential of cultural exchange programs as tools for conflict resolution, and the influence of tourism on community building and social cohesion. Mr. Rane’s deep expertise and passion for the subject were evident, sparking lively discussions among the audience. The interactive session included a Quiz segment, engaging students and faculty in a discussion on global tourism trends and practices.
The session was informative, engaging, and well-organized. Mr. Rane’s presentation style was clear, concise, and captivating. His real-world illustrations provided valuable context, making complex concepts easily understandable. The event successfully achieved its objective of raising awareness about the importance of tourism in promoting peace. A total of 49 students attended the session.
Expected Outcome of the Activity:
The event underscored tourism’s role as a catalyst for cultural exchange, fostering mutual respect and breaking down stereotypes. It emphasized tourism’s economic benefits, including job creation and local development, while also highlighting its power to promote peace and global harmony by encouraging empathy, tolerance, and a shared sense of global citizenship.
Reel-Making Competition: “Tourism and Peace: Building Bridges Across Cultures”
To further engage students and tap into their creative talents, the Yuva Tourism Club organized a Reel-Making Competition themed “Tourism and Peace: Building Bridges Across Cultures”. The objective was to encourage students to reflect creatively on the role of tourism in uniting people and breaking down barriers.
The competition received enthusiastic participation from students across various disciplines. Participants were tasked with creating short, visually compelling reels that depicted the theme of “Tourism and Peace”. The aim was to convey how tourism can act as a bridge between different cultures, promote mutual respect, and contribute to peaceful coexistence among communities. The reels highlighted various aspects such as cultural exchange, sustainable tourism, and the role of travel in promoting empathy and global understanding.
Each reel was evaluated on creativity, theme relevance, storytelling, and technical execution. The winners were:
- 1st Place:Ankit Pathak (TY BCom)
- 2nd Place:Amir Saroj (SY BCom, Div C)
- 3rd Place:Mark Jordan Pereira (FY BCA, Div A)
The competition encouraged students to creatively explore the connection between tourism and peace, further emphasizing the role of youth in promoting tourism through innovative digital platforms.
Expected Outcome of the Activity:
The event underscored the unifying power of tourism, highlighting its role in breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of shared global citizenship. Through activities like the Reel-Making Competition, students found creative avenues to express their perspectives on meaningful social themes, demonstrating how digital platforms can effectively convey messages of unity and cultural understanding. Additionally, the focus on responsible and sustainable tourism emphasized how mindful travel practices can contribute to peace and harmony among diverse communities, nurturing a more connected and empathetic world.
