The 14th India International Hotel, Travel & Tourism Research Conference commenced on March 6, 2024, at the BCIHMCT in New Delhi, focusing on the pivotal theme, "Tourism & Hospitality: Climate Change, Geo-political Conflicts & Crisis Management." The first day unfolded with a series of engaging sessions. Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing world, this conference serves as a crucial platform for exploring the intersection of climate change, geo-political conflicts, and effective crisis management within the hospitality and tourism sector.

The event began with the felicitation of esteemed guests and the traditional lamp lighting ceremony, followed by a soulful Ganesh Vandana. Prof. R.K. Bhandari, President of IIHTTRC 2024 and Director of BCIHMCT, welcomed the distinguished guests, researchers and the audience.

The chief guest, Mr. Rajan Bahadur, CEO of Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council of India, addressed the gathering, highlighting the crucial role of hospitality sector in the revival of economy after the Covid 19 era. He emphasized on the necessity for professionals in the hospitality and tourism sector to remain agile, alert, and aware in the rapidly evolving landscape. He stressed on the importance of swiftly adapting to changing circumstances to ensure the continued delivery of quality service to customers. He emphasized the importance of flexibility, noting that success in the post-COVID era would require a willingness to embrace change and innovate.

Dr. Kevser Cinar, President of EATSA, (Euro Asia Tourism Studies Association), Associate Professor – Necmettin Erbakan University, Turkiye delivered a warm address, emphasizing the global significance of the conference. She shared her thoughts about the Tourism & World Peace.

Distinguished personalities in the industry graced the occasion with special addresses. Mr. Niranjan Khatri, Founder at iSambhav and Former General Manager of Environment Initiatives at ITC Hotels, added his perspectives on sustainability. He provided us with a comprehensive view of the issues that are currently affecting us, such as global warming, drought, and a lack of access to clean water. In his address, he also provides a quick overview of the measures employed in hotels to promote sustainability and reduce waste.

After all of the dignitaries, Dr. Arvind Kumar Saraswati, Convenor - IIHTTRC 2024 & Associate Professor, BCIHMCT, offered a vote of thanks for their active involvement and the knowledge they shared with everyone.  

Following a refreshing tea break, the conference delved into enlightening keynote speeches.

The Keynote Speech by Prof. Maharaj V. Reddy, Associate Dean (Research & Knowledge Exchange), Faculty of Art, Business & Social Science, University of Wolverhampton, United Kingdom on “Building Resilience in Tourism & Hospitality: A Critical Review of Disaster and Crisis Management Research “ in which he talked about his first Project in Andaman & Nicobar Island having cultural Heritage category Biosphere conservation point. As principal investigator and co-investigator, Vijay’s inspiring projects that fit under the broader theme of sustainable development were commissioned by a range of national and international organizations, including UNESCO.

Prof. Dr Jan Mosedale, Director of Studies Master Tourism & Change & Head of Research, Institute for Tourism and Leisure Research ITF, University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons, Switzerland expressed his thoughts on “Climate Change impacts on Swiss Tourism and Hospitality” He began by outlining how climate change is affecting Swiss tourism by generating glacier melt, unexpected weather patterns, and changes in water supply, all of which have an influence on skiing, winter sports, and outdoor activities such as swimming and boating. He also stated that the drop in these activities is producing a problem in the country's tourism industry and will eventually have an impact on the economy, particularly in mountain areas. He went on to discuss the issues that farmers confront as a result of climate change.

At the end of the day, Dr. Vernika Agarwal, Associate Professor, and Dr. Pooja Chaturvedi Sharma, Assistant Professor, Apeejay School of Management, New Delhi, conducted a Research Workshop on "Writing a Research Paper/Project for Undergraduate Students". The main goal of this workshop was to familiarize participants with various research approaches, provide practical insight into conducting effective research, and discuss research issues and solutions. It brought together academics, scholars, and students from various academic backgrounds to exchange their knowledge, experiences, and best practices in research.

The inaugural day of the conference set a promising tone, initiating knowledge exchange and collaboration among experts in the field of tourism and hospitality.