Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada   

A rich blend of fun, education

— PHOTO: CH. VIJAYA BHASKAR

WAH TaJ! A huge replica of Taj Mahal moves on a vehicle in Canal Road in Vijayawada as part of a rally organised by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation on the occasion of World Tourism Day on Saturday.

VIJAYAWADA: It was a blend of education and entertainment on Saturday at Haritha Berm Park on the city outskirts, where the Tourism Day was celebrated with enthusiasm. The day began with an ‘eco walk’ by the students of different colleges, who were pursing a course in hotel management. The walk began at the central reservation office of the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation opposite Swaraj Maidan on Mahatma Gandhi Road and culminated at Berm Park. Holding placards with slogans on global warming and environmental pollution, the students continued the walk.

It took about an hour for them to reach the venue, where they participated in a series of programmes till the evening. Since the theme given by the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organisation for this year’s celebration was ‘Tourism responding to challenges of climate change’, a few students spoke on environmental issues and to what extent tourism sector was contributing to environmental pollution, during the elocution competition.

Students of Westin College of Hotel Management, Government Women’s College of Guntur, SRR & CVR Government Degree College and tourism and hospitality management department of Acharya Nagarjuna University took part in the events. Group singing, dance, skits, mimicry and catwalk were a few items that got applause from the audience. Despite scorching sun, the students enthusiastically participated in the cultural extravaganza. Guests from the tinsel world surprised the students in the post-lunch session. As a part of promoting their yet-to-be released film ‘Rainbow’, hero of the film Rahul (of Happy Days fame) and music director Nihal interacted with the students.

Girls vied with one another to interact with Nihal, who is now popular as ‘Tyson’ by the name of his character in ‘Happy Days’, and seek his autograph. The fashion show and fancy dress competitions were held amidst vigils and hoots from the crowd.

APTDC Regional Manager K.V. Venkateswara Rao, secretary of the Viyawada Hoteliers’ Association K. Pattabhi, representatives of the Lotus Food City, Westin College of Hotel Management, Maris Stella College and Acharya Nagarjuna University were present. The Tourism Day was also celebrated at Siddhartha College of Hotel Management.

Meanwhile, Hotel Fortune Murali Park and the Westin college said in separate press releases that they got ‘award for excellence’ in different categories for 2007-08 from the Department of Tourism at a function in Hyderabad held on the occasion of World Tourism Day.

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