TCN News
Aligarh: Imagine if Aligarh becomes a tourist spot, welcoming visitors from everywhere. Some Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) students have identified spots, which will likely bring Aligarh on India’s tourism map.
These students of tourism courses in the Department of Commerce, AMU have put forth names of Maulana Azad Library, Teerthdham Mangalaayatan, AMU Jama Masjid, Khereshwar Temple, Sir Syed Academy Museum, Aligarh Fort, Baba Barchi Bahadur Dargah, Shekha Jheel, Dor Fortress and Chacha Nehru Gyan Pushp as potential spots, which will bring tourism to Aligarh.
Professor Sheeba Hamid, faculty at department of commerce said that these students have not only discovered tourist spots in Aligarh, but also in other cities.
“Our students have identified a fort in Etah, which can potentially become a tourist spot,” said Prof Hamid during a three-day international conference on ‘New Tourism Paradigms in a Changing World: Innovations, Dynamics and Future Perspectives’ organised by the Department of Commerce, AMU under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
While presiding over the inaugural function of the conference, AMU Vice Chancellor, Professor Tariq Mansoor expressed his happiness and interest in visiting these places.
Prof Mansoor pointed out that since Indian tourism industry has a huge potential, developing new places of religious and leisure tourism will do wonders. He further said that employment will be generated with the discovery of new tourist spots.
After extending a warm welcome to the dignitaries attending the conference, Prof Nawab Ali Khan, dean at faculty of commerce, expressed the desire of establishing a tourism department in AMU’s Faculty of Commerce.
Meanwhile, Prof M Mohsin Khan, the chairperson at department of commerce, said that since tourism attracts foreign exchange, conferences, workshops and researches related to it should be done to promote tourism in India.
Prof S Husain Ashraf talked about the importance of cross cultural training to help understand tourists better and to make their stay successful.
Dr Sandeep Kulshreshtha, Director ya IITM, attended the conference as the chief-guest, and discussed the changing scenario of technology, effect of climate change on tourist destinations, impact of concrete jungles and under-water tourist places.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr Imtiaz Muqbil, Executive Editor at Travel-Trade Journalist in the Asia Specific, spoke on new paradigms of tourism. He emphasized that new tourism requires more than the ‘walk-the-talk’ approach and innovative ideas for sustainable development.
The conference will also have deliberations by 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).
Dr Mohd Shamim Ansari (Session coordinator), Dr Mohd Taqi, Mohd Asad, Shahrukh Khan, Aaisha Ahmad, Zeenat Fatima and Dr Sheema Tarab were also present, at the event. Prof Sheeba Hamid proposed the vote of thanks.