The International Tourism Week celebration has commenced in Kottayam, organized jointly by the Yuva Tourism Club operating at the Kumarakom Govt. Vocational Higher Secondary School (GVHSS), the District Tourism Department, the Responsible Tourism District Mission, and the Chamber of Hotels and Resorts (CVHR).
The event, held in the school auditorium, was inaugurated by CVHR President Salim M. Das.
The function was presided over by Panchayat member V.N. Jayakumar. Those who spoke at the event included school principals T. Sathyan and M.S. Bijeesh, PTA President V.S. Sugesh, Travel and Tourism teacher Dr. Shoby Das, Tourism Department Deputy Director Ruby Joseph, DTPC Secretary Athira, Responsible Tourism District Coordinator V.S. Bhagath Singh, school Headmaster S.K. Nishad, and M. Kannan.
The six-day celebrations, organized by the Yuva Tourism Club, which consists of the school’s Travel and Tourism students, will conclude on September 27, World Tourism Day, at Kavanattinkara. The six-day programs, named ‘Hexa Celebrations’, will be led by school Principal T. Sathyan and Dr. Shoby Das.
World Tourism Day 2025
The six-day event, named ‘Hexa Celebrations’, is a lead-up to and culmination of World Tourism Day.
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Date: The celebrations began and will conclude on September 27 which is World Tourism Day (ലോക വിനോദ സഞ്ചാര ദിനം).
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Venue of Conclusion: The celebrations will conclude at Kavanattinkara (കവണാറ്റിൻകര).
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Theme and Purpose (General Context): World Tourism Day is an annual observance, led by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), to highlight the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political, and economic value. The global theme for World Tourism Day 2025 is “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”. It focuses on tourism as an agent of positive change, demanding an approach that places sustainability, resilience, and social equity at the core of tourism development.
About Mr. Salim M. Das
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Role in the Event: He inaugurated the International Tourism Week celebration at the school auditorium.
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Designation: He is the President of the Chamber of Hotels and Resorts (CVHR) (ചേമ്പർ ഓഫ് ഹോട്ടൽസ് ആൻഡ് റിസോർട്ട്സ്).
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Association: He is the President of the Chamber of Vembanad Hotels & Resorts (CVHR), an association of all Hotels & Resorts in the Kumarakom Tourist Destination.
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Involvement in Responsible Tourism: He has been a prominent figure in promoting sustainable/responsible tourism in Kerala for over two decades.
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He received an award from the Chief Minister of Kerala for the CVHR’s outstanding contributions to Responsible Tourism Initiatives.
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He was honored by the Tourism Department, Govt. of Kerala, for his role in helping Kerala win the prestigious UNWTO Ulysses Award 2013 for the Responsible Tourism Project at Kumarakom.
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He has also been recognized for organic cultivation initiatives.
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Business: He is the Promoter of ILLIKKALAM Lakeside Cottages in Kumarakom.