Week-Long Tourism Celebrations at Himachal Pradesh Central University

The Faculty of Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management at Himachal Pradesh Central University is set to organize a series of special week-long events from 22nd to 27th September 2025 to mark World Tourism Day. This year, the United Nations has declared “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation” as the global theme, which has been adopted as the guiding principle for the celebrations. Keeping this theme in mind, the university has designed a framework of academic, cultural, and community programs that position tourism not just as a driver of economic growth, but as a means for ecological conservation, cultural continuity, and social inclusion.

This event is being held under the leadership of the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) Sat Prakash Bansal, an internationally recognized scholar in the field of tourism studies. His vision has given the university a global identity in tourism education and research. The Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Suman Sharma, has provided academic depth to this event, while the Centre Director, Prof. Sandeep Kulshreshtha, has enriched it with ecological and cultural perspectives. The Head of the Department, Prof. Ashish Nag, has played a key role in connecting students and the community. Under the leadership of Convenor Prof. Debashish Sahu and Co-convenor Prof. Amit Gangotia, a team of young faculty and students is making this event comprehensive and impactful.

The tradition of celebrating Tourism Week at the university is over a decade old. It is not merely an annual event but a symbol of the university’s commitment to aligning classroom knowledge with practical experiences and global values like sustainability and inclusivity. The significance of this year’s event is further heightened as it resonates with India’s ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision and Himachal Pradesh’s sustainable tourism potential.

The highlight of the week will be a special lecture on September 23rd by the world-renowned Greek archaeologist, George Antonio. His research in Portugal has uncovered fascinating layers of historical connections between Greece, Portugal, and Himachal Pradesh. The Roman mosaic he discovered depicts the Battle of Hydaspes between Alexander the Great and Maharaja Porus (Parmanand Chand). This discovery links Himachal Pradesh to global historical discourse and deepens the relevance of cultural tourism.

To engage students and the community, heritage walks, street plays, and theatrical performances will be organized. These will include themes like waste management, eco-friendly lifestyles, and responsible travel. The aim of these activities is to go beyond academic boundaries, spread social awareness, and involve the local community in meaningful dialogue.

A seminar on “Sustainable Transformation in Tourism” will be held on September 26th. It will see participation from academics, researchers, policymakers, and industry experts. Students will also get an opportunity to present their ideas through a speech competition. This platform will discuss practical strategies for sensitive tourist destinations like Himachal.

Experiential learning activities will include an educational visit for students to a waste treatment plant, helping them understand the importance of waste management and the circular economy at tourist spots. A tree plantation drive in the village adopted by the university and a visit to the historic Kotla Fort will also be organized. These activities will provide students with an opportunity to experience the practical dimensions of sustainability.

Another major attraction of the week will be a stakeholders’ conference, with participants from industry, government, academia, and the local community. This conference will focus on policies, frameworks, and practical strategies shaping the future of tourism. This shared platform for deliberation is a concrete initiative towards establishing tourism as a sustainable force.

This university event is not just a celebration of a global occasion but also a manifesto for the future of tourism education and practice. It makes it clear that when tourism is based on sustainability and inclusivity, it can become not just a tool for economic development, but also a foundation for cultural vitality and environmental security. On World Tourism Day 2025, this celebration by Himachal Pradesh Central University reinforces the belief that tourism, when directed correctly, can be a powerful instrument for global change by creating a balance between society, culture, and the environment.