Oman Tourism College to launch Tourism for All
Student Project on World Tourism Day
Imbibing the spirit of this year’s World Tourism Day slogan – Tourism for All – as promoted by UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organisation), Oman Tourism College, the Sultanate’s only Tourism College, will integrate the theme of universal access to tourism into student work in the academic programs.
The College will launch the “Tourism for All Student project” on 27 September 2016, which is observed as the World Tourism Day. Accessible tourism for all is about creating environments that can cater to the needs of all sections of the society. The disabled, families with small children, as also the ageing population and others, are all expected to benefit from universal accessibility in tourism.
As many as 100 students of the first and second semester on the BSc (Hons) and Diplomas in Tourism & Hospitality Management, Tourism Marketing, and Event Management will be working on specially designed projects in the Destination Management and Tour Guiding Operations modules
Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Angelo Battaglia, Head of Department: Tourism and Management studies said: “The students are required to plan, organize and implement visits to different tourism destinations in Oman for different target groups that are often overlooked by the tourism industry. On prescheduled dates in October, November and December, the students will take four separate groups comprising two groups from orphanages, and a single group each made up of differently abled people and underprivileged youth to relevant tourism spots in Oman which are chosen keeping in mind the groups’ needs.”
“We sincerely believe that this project that spans one semester will help raise awareness on the accessibility of tourism in Oman across different segments of the society. At the same time our students are requested to think like tourism professionals and demonstrate a deeper understanding of different tourist needs.” he added.
Elaborating on the concept, Shakir Al Balushi, Tourism Management lecturer noted that that “the projects will be a part of their formal assessment. Students have to work really hands-on and in an independent manner. They will receive guidance from a five-member faculty team. The process will help develop life-long learning skills and construct new ideas and concepts through an active process of engagement”
The UNWTO theme encourages people across the world to experience the incredible diversity of our planet and the beauty of the world we live in. This year’s World Tourism Day will focus on highlighting the importance and immense benefits universal tourism accessibility has and can bring to society at large.
Ever since its inception, World Tourism Day is celebrated on 27 September to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value. It seeks to highlight tourism’s potential to contribute to reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing the society.