Pondicherry University is looking at collaborating with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), a UN body for certification of tourism service providers and allied sectors.
Kathleen Pessolano, Programme Director, Strategic Partnerships, GSTC, had a detailed discussion with the Pondicherry University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Gurmeet Singh on the scope and modalities of possible academic collaboration between Pondicherry University and GSTC.
Earlier, while addressing MBA (Tourism & Travel Management) students, research scholars and faculty of the Department of Tourism Studies at an interaction programme hosted by the Department of Tourism Studies, Ms. Pessolano advocated the adoption of sustainable tourism principles through public private partnership
She also spoke on various initiatives and practices adopted by GSTC on sustainable tourism promotion across the globe and also threw light on the standard procedures for certifying sustainable stakeholders of tourism and hospitality industry.
The GSTC promotes sustainable tourism initiatives all over the world with a focus on improving quality standards in tourism.
Moulik D. Berkana, Cultural Affairs Officer, U.S. Consulate, Chennai, participated in the event. Dr. Swain outlined the role played by GSTC in ensuring quality parameters of tourism.
Prof. G. Anjaneya Swamy, Dean, School of Management, proposed collaboration between the Department of Tourism Studies and the GSTC in terms of faculty, research scholars and student exchange programmes, research projects, consultancy, etc.
