World Tourism day celebrations 2014 at Meluha the Fern ecote Powai Mumbai. ---- World Tourism Day celebrations organized by Young Environmentalists Trust and Meluha ecotel Powai on September 29th at Meluha the Fern Ecotel Hiranandani, Powai, Mumbai saw H.E. Consul General of South Africa .Pule Malefane and H.E. Consul general of Vietnam .Vu Son Thuy, Chairman of Travel council of India Jay Bhatia, Ahmer Shaikh of MTDC, Niranjan Hiranandani,Celebrity Mukesh Rishi, Actor Karan Goddwani, Master chef Saranch Goila of Food Food and celebrity Arti Surendranath, along with diplomatic Officer Pinkey Ahluwalia from Belgium, along with Oman, Thailand, Reunion islands,Tourism board of Kenya, Clarence Fernandes-Rwanda Development Board,Co-Chairman Travel, Tourism/ Hospitality Committee-Indian Merchants' Chamber and a host of travel delegates from around the world. TAFI and Madhya Pradesh tourism as well as travel enthusiasts gathered to mark the occasion through various colourful audio video films connecting people on this day. This year’s World Tourism Day draws special attention to the role of tourism in contributing to one of the building blocks of a more sustainable future for all: Community development. H.E. Consul General of South Africa .Pule Malefane spoke on how South Africa is enchanting, “We invite you to tour South Africa, we have a wealth of elements of nature, wild life and tourism in South Africa is enchanting.Africa is the cradle of humanity and culture,what you see in pictures of South Africa are not photo shopped but real and exciting in real life.We are happy to be part of the world tourism day today in Mumbai.” Said Actress Arti Surrendranath of Wild life trust of India, “We must also focus on animal conservation when we speak of valuable tourism. The Seminar presentations by leaders in the field of travel and tourism in various sectors assembled together to foster awareness among the community for the importance of tourism and its academic-educational, social, sustainable, cultural, political and economic value is what we need to network.” Said Elsie Gabriel founder of Young Environmentalists organizer of the event, “The day seeks to address challenges, And to highlight the contribution that the tourism sector can make in reaching these goals.We are all connected and only by networking can we take the mission of sustainability forward.” Elsie Gabriel also presented her book on Get Out Going Going Outdoors which talks about safety during outdoors travel, travel photography, outdoor cooking and various outdoor meditational chapters which prove that travelling outdoors not only enriches but heals the mind.” Voiced Punish Sharma chief of the Meluha ecotel Powai, “We as a ecotel only work in areas of sustainable tourism and have won 29 international awards for a sustainable hotel and eco tourism. Our hotel involves our community and that’s what community development is all about. ” As the world becomes citizen-centric, the right intelligent taxation levels and legislative framework, innovative financing and partnership models are crucial to facilitate travel said actor Mukesh Rishi, “We in the Bollywood industry shoot abroad because it is convenient and it is easy with foreign support with many good locales. Tourism and Bollywood go hand in hand.” The social event was aimed to ensure a continued dialogue between the public and private sectors. Said H.E. Consul general of Vietnam Vu Son Thuy, “Vietnam is very close by to India and we are happy to welcome Indians to our country.We need more people to discover Vietnam, it has good food and eco friendly tourism and is very educational. We have the best beaches in the world. Come discover Vietnam.” Going beyond the immediate impact of job creation and multiplying the tourism impact was well expounded upon by Mr.Jay Bhatia of the travel council of India. Talks on renewable options for water heating, air conditioning and electricity generation can cut hotel operating costs, advance sustainability while making them more appealing for tourists, were discussed. Each country displayed a film and the event was very informative to the audience,making world tourism day really worth connecting people of the world here in Powai. Thanks & Best Regards, Elsie Gabriel,Founder, Young Environmentalists Programme Trust, [Equipping environmental leaders of tomorrow,today!] 804 Glenheights,Hiranandani Gardens, Powai.Mumbai-400076 contact-9967347511

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