Thomas Cook India’s Centre of Learning launches ‘Disha 2013’

Focus on research in tourism; announces winning research papers

 

~ Winners felicitated by Minister for Tourism, State of Maharashtra- Shri Chaggan Bhujbal, Principal Secretary- Additional Charge Tourism and Chief Protocol Officer Shri Sumit Mullick ~

 

Mumbai Oct 11th 2013(Sailesh Gandhi): Thomas Cook India’s consistent efforts in promoting quality research in the field of travel and tourism, have resulted in the launch of the second edition of ‘Disha’ by its education and training vertical, Centre of Learning, in Mumbai, today.

‘Disha’, is a platform which invites research papers in the field of travel and tourism from faculties of educational institutions across India.

 

Post receiving an overwhelming response, the initiative was concluded today in a felicitation ceremony where, Shri Chaggan Bhujbalji- Minister for Tourism,State of Maharashtra , Shri Sumit Mullickji, Principal Secretary- Additional Charge Tourism and Chief Protocol Officer and Mr. Madhavan Menon, Managing Director, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. felicitated the winning research entries and released a published book with a compilation of the top research papers.

 

The first prize was awarded to Dr. Mahalaxmi Krishnan from K J Somaiya College, Mumbai   who presented a paper on ‘Infrastructure - the need for it in having a robust Tourism Industry in India’. The second prize winners were Dr. Prem Ram & Mr. Arvind Saraswati from Banarasidas Chandiwala lnstitute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, New Delhi who researched the ‘Impact of Civil Aviation Policies on Tourism Industry in India’. The consolation prize winners were Dr. G.Anjaneya Swamy & Dr. Nitin Mittal from Pondicherry University for their research on ‘Relevance of Movies in Marketing a Destination’.  

L-R Smeeta Gulvady_ Adrian Williams_ Chaggan
 Bhujbal_ Satish Soni_ Gurjit Gill

The first prize winner has received an International Holiday, the second prize winners a domestic holiday while the third prize winners have received a free resort stay. The prizes have been sponsored by Jet Airways, Marriott Hotels and MTDC.

 

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Madhavan Menon, Managing Director, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. said “The travel & tourism industry of India has been recognized as a powerful driving force in boosting the Indian economy but faces its share of challenges. Our attempt, through Disha, is to encourage and support high standards of research and learning in the Tourism sector, and thereby catalyse the entire travel ecosystem. The award-winning research papers for Disha 2013 highlight current issues that impact the sector and recommendations.”

 

A panel discussion on ‘Travel and Tourism – Emerging Trends' saw experts discuss the challenging issues and areas of opportunity for the industry in India. The panellists were Ratna Chadha - Chief Executive Tirun Travel Marketing - India Rep Azmara Cruises, Celebrity Cruise, Royal Caribbean International, Dr Manjula Chaudhary- Director, Indian Institute of Tourism &Travel Management and Mr Gour Kanjilal – Executive Director IATO, Mr Stephan Heuberger Director - India Switzerland Tourism.

Disha was first organised in 2011 with honourable Union Minister of Tourism, Shri Subodh Kant Sahai and honourable State Minister of Tourism, Shri Chaggan Bhujbal, gracing the occasion with their presence.