Rajouri : Centre for Hospitality and Tourism, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University Rajouri organised a webinar on COVID-19: Way ahead for the Survival and Revival of Tourism Industry. Prof. Javed Musarrat, Vice chancellor of the University applauded the efforts of the organising team and said that such initiatives are important to maintain the continuity of learning and to ensure that teachers, researchers and students remain connected to share best practices, ideas and knowledge. He said that the University has taken up various initiatives to facilitate a robust teaching-learning mechanism th

rough various online platforms and the teachers have worked quickly over the past weeks to move their classes’ online, adapting course delivery and assignments in an effort to preserve instructional continuity. Vinod Jutshi, IAS ( Rtd), former secretary Tourism , GoI, delivered the key note address. Jutshi highlighted how Tourism and hospitality industry can deal with the ongoing Covid 19 crisis and plan their short term and long term strategies for their survival and subsequent revival. He said that that India has done pretty well in combatting COVID- 19 crisis and very soon the tourism industry will get back on track. He however, mentioned that tourism industry has to embrace the necessary changes to ensure the health and safety of the customers and employees. He advised the Industry to not get panic and remain in the game by adopting various measures to ensure the liquidity till the operations resume.

In his address, He advised the educational institutions to draw effective strategies for skill building and knowledge enhancement of students taking into consideration the changing dynamics of job markets particularly in the field of hospitality and tourism. He said that despite the challenges we all are facing now, by standing together, we will emerge from this moment stronger and more resilient. Speaking on the occasion Prof. Iqbal Parwez, Dean Academic affairs said that during COVID-19, The University is providing individualized accompaniment as well as systematic support to students as needed. He said that during the lockdown period the University has been organising programs/ workshops for the students through various online platforms related to skill building, motivation, emotional stability and mental wellbeing to make them fit for the future challenges. Prof. Naseem Ahmed, Dean School of Management Studies welcomed the guests and presented a brief overview of the webinar. Those who participated in the webinar included Prof. Prof. G.M .Malik , Asrar Gaus, Dr. Shahnawz Coordinator , Dept. of Tourism University of Kashmir, representatives from Khyber Hotel Gulmarg, faculty Members , research scholars and students.’

KR Desk