The Tourism Conclave 2023 held in Ayodhya, brought together industry experts, academics, and aspiring tourism professionals for two days of insightful sessions and discussions. Day 1 commenced with registration and networking, followed by an engaging team-building and ice-breaking session led by Mr. Devansh Chaurasia and Ms. Shruti Mishra. The formal inaugural session set the tone for the event, leading into a keynote session delivered by Mr. Prateek Heera, the Founder of Tornos.
Day 1 was filled with valuable learning labs, featuring prominent speakers, such as Dr. Lajwanti Naidu, Mr. Raveesh Khullar, Dr. Ajay Bhardwaj, Dr. P S Rana, and Ms. Aheli Patra, who discussed collaboration's significance between the tourism industry and academia. The case study delved into the exciting trends and changes in the MICE industry, presented by Mr. Bindeshwari Prasad.
Networking opportunities during the lunch break allowed students and industry guests to connect. The day continued with Learning Lab 02, where the focus shifted to experiential tourism and entrepreneurship, led by industry experts like Mr. Suyash Khare and Mr. Ladonlang Tynsong. Case Study 02 explored the landscape of adventure tourism and opportunities for students' careers, with insights from Dr. Rajiv Narvekar. The day concluded with a walking tour of the Ghats of Ayodhya, offering a unique aarti experience.
Day 2 commenced with a "Wake Up" session on mindfulness and self-connection by Dr Ajay Bhardwaj (AUR), followed by a keynote session exploring horizons in the travel industry, presented by Mr. Aman Kaushik. The day featured a competition where students and faculty had the opportunity to brand their campus or city and an exciting student competition, "Pitch Your Startup,".
Learning Lab 03 emphasized meeting the industry's demand, featuring industry professionals like Mr. Bindeshwari Prasad, Mr. Devansh Chaurasia, and Mr. Vikas Tembhare, among others. Dr. Rohit Borlikar moderated a panel discussion on expectations from tourism educators and emerging talents.
Learning Lab 04 offered a panel discussion on "Women and Tourism: Empowerment, Challenges, and Opportunities," moderated by Dr. Lajwanti Naidu, and featured distinguished experts such as Dr. Anupaman Shrivastava, Dr. Supriya Sikari, Ms. Anuja Srivastava, Ms. Soumya, and Ms. Aradhana Kujur. A student forum provided an opportunity for students to share their insights.
After another networking lunch, Learning Lab 04 focused on the impact of industry-academia partnerships on employability, led by Mr. Vikas Tembhare, and featuring industry professionals,lecturers, and students. A futuristic talk discussed innovative pathways in the tourism industry, while a sustainability talk emphasized the goals for 2047. A case study of Ayodhya City and a cultural performance by the Ayodhya Research Institute added to the event's cultural richness.
The event concluded with an awards and prize distribution ceremony, followed by a closing ceremony. Overall Championship for Best Campus Engagement & maximum Participation of 3rd Tourism Conclave was bestowed to Amity University Rajasthan Team (Runner up) and NHSM Kolkata team (Winner ), with B.H.U. at 3rd position. The evening allowed participants to explore the temples and heritage sites of Ayodhya, bringing the Tourism Symposium 2023 to a memorable close.