'Promote tourism for economic development'

Speaking after inaugurating World Tourism Day- 2011 and 10th anniversary of MBA (Tourism) department at Mangalore University here on Thursday, organised jointly by Department of Business Administration and MBA (Tourism), Prof Shivashankaramurthy said that, India, with its great cultural diversity has a great potential in tourism sector.

Presiding over the programme, Mangalore University Finance Officer and Coordinator of the MBA (Tourism) programme Prof P Pakkeerappa said that tourism links cultures. “We can incite a new culture through tourism. It’s like a cultural ambassador of the world,” he said.

Speaking after inaugurating ‘Tourism Club’ in the University, Dakshina Kannada district Information Officer Rohini K stressed the need to popularise the existing tourism spots in and around the region. “Students should take initiative to create awareness and popularise such places,” she said and called upon the students to make the Tourism Club a model for others.

Prof Muktheri Begum, Professor in MBA (Tourism) department of the university, defined tourism as an enjoyment, gathering knowledge and culture.

“Travelling creates social awareness among the people,” she added. Professor in Department of Business Administration and Coordinator of ‘Tourism Club’ Mallikarjunappa explained the scope of tourism. 

Resource person for the programme, Yakshagana artiste Dr Prabhakar Joshi defined culture as the element of change and value addition.