Representatives from Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences – Agita Līviņa, Agita Šmitiņa, Ilgvars Ābols, and Aigars Andersons – are participating in joint workshops and partner meetings of the project “SIPAS – Advancing Sustainability and Technology in Tourism, Hospitality, and Services Studies through Strategic Industry Partnerships” from April 13 to 22 in India, at Pondicherry University and the National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (NITHM) in Hyderabad.
At Pondicherry University, representatives of India’s tourism sector gathered to discuss current challenges and developments in the industry, as well as future cooperation ideas, including the development of several educational modules and their implementation in higher education tourism programs. Agita Līviņa opened the event with a speech emphasizing the importance of purposeful work to ensure collaboration leads to tangible results, while Agita Šmitiņa highlighted the significance of developing students’ entrepreneurial skills in higher education and shared Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences experience in organizing events that promote entrepreneurship.
The tourism industry meeting brought together around 40 participants representing a wide range of organizations, including hotels, resorts, local government, tourism education and nature conservation NGOs, food service companies, travel agencies, and tourism sites. The stakeholders in Pondicherry’s tourism sector highlighted several pressing issues. One of the main concerns was the low prestige of tourism and hospitality professions, which are often seen as a last-choice study path due to the demanding workload and low wages. There was a strong emphasis on avoiding overtourism and preventing the transformation of cultural heritage sites—stressing instead the importance of preserving and showcasing heritage as a valuable asset through restoration and care. An interesting point raised was the generational shift in behavior. With many families now raising only one child, today’s youth display notably different behavior patterns. Universities must learn how to effectively engage with students who bring these new dynamics into the classroom. Finally, waste management and pollution were also identified as critical issues. However, positive examples from within the industry were shared, demonstrating how these challenges can be addressed effectively. One of the participants, a sustainability manager from a hotel, emphasized the importance of understanding sustainability in a broad sense—economically, socially, and environmentally.
Project partners also made an honorary visit to the Minister of Tourism of Puducherry, Shri. K. Lakshminarayanan, presenting opportunities for developing tourism education within the SIPAS project and reinforcing collaboration between academic professionals and industry experts.
The visit continues at the National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (NITHM) in Hyderabad, where discussions on the next stages of the project will take place, along with short lectures and workshops for Indian students and tourism industry representatives.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
