India Tourism Honours Dekho Apna Desh Winners, Hosting Hospitality Education Expo In Goa: Here’s What You Need To Know

The seaside tourism hub of Goa played host to a dynamic blend of awards, skill workshops and career guidance as India Tourism, under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, organised the Dekho Apna Desh Brochure Making Contest award ceremony alongside a Hospitality Education Expo at the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Goa, Porvorim, on 18 February 2026. Students, parents and teachers experienced the campus transform into a showcase of India’s tourism diversity and hospitality careers, creating a warm, aspirational atmosphere around the country’s visitor economy.

Celebration of young tourism storytellers

The event, conducted through India Tourism’s regional set‑up, recognised student teams whose brochure designs creatively promoted domestic destinations in line with the Ministry’s Dekho Apna Desh vision of encouraging Indians to explore their own country. Participants were felicitated for imaginative layouts, compelling narratives and the ability to package local culture, heritage and experiences into travel‑ready collateral aimed at inspiring real journeys across India.

Officials noted that the contest complements wider Ministry efforts such as Incredible India and Utsav portals, which collectively spotlight destinations, festivals and experiences to enhance India’s appeal for both domestic and international travellers. The contest format also nudges schools to integrate tourism awareness into co‑curricular activities, giving students an early sense of how creative communication can influence travel decisions.

Industry leaders champion experiential learning

Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, Managing Director, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), attended as Chief Guest and underlined that experiential learning and hands‑on exposure are crucial if students are to shape the next generation of Goa and India’s tourism offerings. He was stated to have encouraged learners to view national tourism initiatives as platforms to contribute ideas rather than just observe from the sidelines.

Shri Mohamed Farouk, Deputy Director General and Regional Director (West & Central Region), Ministry of Tourism, highlighted that platforms such as the Hospitality Education Expo help nurture skilled professionals who can support the Ministry’s broader mandate of developing and promoting tourism across the country. His remarks indicated that bridging classroom learning with industry expectations will be central to sustaining quality standards and visitor satisfaction across Indian destinations.

Shri Gavin Dias, General Manager (Marketing & IT), GTDC, joined as Guest of Honour, reinforcing the role of strategic marketing, digital presence and product development in keeping Goa competitive as a year‑round tourism destination.

Hospitality Education Expo: campus meets real‑world tourism

The Hospitality Education Expo at IHM Goa gave attendees an interactive window into how hospitality skills translate into guest experiences at hotels, cruises and tourism enterprises across India. Representatives from prominent brands such as Indian Hotels Company Limited, The Park Hotels, Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Carnival Support Services India Pvt. Ltd. engaged directly with students, sharing insights on emerging trends, service excellence and global career pathways.

Beyond booth interactions, the Expo emphasised practical demonstrations: sessions on flower arrangement, terrarium making and towel art showcased the detailed craftsmanship that underpins memorable stays in hotels and resorts. These workshops helped students appreciate how small, thoughtful touches contribute significantly to guest satisfaction and repeat travel, a core objective of India’s tourism strategy.

Clear academic pathways into tourism careers

A focused presentation explained the role of the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT) in standardising hospitality education across India, along with course options at IHM and the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) route into the system. Speakers outlined how structured programmes in hotel management, tourism and allied services can lead to roles across front office operations, culinary arts, travel trade, cruise operations and destination management.

The discussion aligned with the Ministry of Tourism’s emphasis on skilling and capacity building through dedicated divisions that support human resource development and quality enhancement in the sector. Students and parents were given a realistic view of progression from classroom to internship to full‑time roles in hotels, tourism boards and travel companies, linking education choices directly with the growth of India’s visitor economy.

Strengthening India’s tourism ecosystem from Goa

Nearly 250 students, along with parents, teachers, Ministry officials and industry representatives, participated in the programme, turning the IHM Goa campus into a microcosm of India’s wider tourism ecosystem for a day. By combining recognition of young ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ brochure creators with immersive exposure to hospitality education and industry trends, the initiative reinforced Goa’s image as not just a leisure destination but also a hub nurturing future tourism professionals.

The participants developed deeper emotional ties to various Indian destinations while understanding their potential contributions to the tourism industry through their roles as storytellers, hoteliers, tour designers, and destination managers. The Ministry of Tourism continues its work to establish tourism as a fundamental element of national development through its ongoing initiatives.

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Dead Sea Tourist Beach: Jordan Tourism Push Unveils Dazzling New Waterfront Experience!

The Dead Sea Tourist Beach has entered a new redevelopment phase which the Jordan Free and Development Zones Group (JFDZ) has initiated to improve one of the Kingdom’s most famous beachfronts. The beach will offer visitors a better family-friendly experience on the world’s lowest shoreline.

Dead Sea upgrade to anchor tourism growth

The new phase of works at the Dead Sea Tourist Beach, formerly known as Amman Tourist Beach, is a cornerstone of JFDZ’s strategy to elevate Jordan’s national tourism offering and sharpen the Dead Sea Development Zone’s positioning as a global destination. The project is designed to add an attractive public leisure outlet for Jordanians and international visitors alike, dovetailing with wider efforts to drive tourism‑led economic growth in the Kingdom.

JFDZ has signed a management and operation agreement with FHM Hospitality Management, a Jordanian company specialising in hotels, restaurants and tourism facilities, to run the revamped beach in line with international standards. The site is being readied to welcome guests during Eid Al Fitr and throughout the next tourism season, positioning the beach as a high‑capacity hub for day trips and short breaks.

Modern, family‑focused seaside experience

Covering around 240 dunums and able to host more than 4,500 visitors at a time, the Dead Sea Tourist Beach is being reshaped as a safe, family‑oriented shoreline experience. The development plan includes upgraded service facilities, renewed infrastructure, and shaded seating areas that will allow travellers to linger comfortably by the water even in the heat of the day.

Hospitality and recreational services are being tailored to match visitor expectations at a world‑renowned wellness and nature destination, from improved beach access and changing facilities to enhanced food and beverage offerings and curated leisure activities. JFDZ’s leadership has indicated that these amenities, delivered under a single professional operator, are expected to transform the beach into a more coherent and premium experience rather than a basic public access point.

Integration with Corniche and wider Dead Sea vision

The redevelopment is also about stitching the Dead Sea waterfront into a more connected and attractive tourism corridor. JFDZ’s chair was cited as saying that the Tourist Beach and the Corniche projects form two key pillars in enhancing the area’s overall appeal, with the new phase aimed at deepening integration between these anchors.

This aligns with the broader master‑planning of the Dead Sea Development Zone, which envisages a balanced mix of resorts, public beaches, dining, retail and cultural experiences along the eastern shore. As stalled investments are resolved and new projects come on stream, the reimagined Tourist Beach is expected to serve as a lively public gateway that complements adjacent upscale hotels and wellness retreats rather than competing with them.

Technology, safety and sustainability at the core

Under the agreement with FHM Hospitality Management, the beach will be run using modern management systems and advanced technologies, covering day‑to‑day operations, maintenance, marketing, digital promotion and ticketing. JFDZ representatives have underlined that strict adherence to public safety and environmental sustainability standards is central to the operating model, reflecting the environmental sensitivity of the Dead Sea ecosystem.

This approach is consistent with the development zone’s long‑term planning, which promotes resource‑efficient infrastructure, careful land use and visitor management to protect the Dead Sea’s fragile shoreline while still enabling tourism growth. For travellers, this should translate into cleaner facilities, better‑managed crowds and clearer information, enhancing the overall sense of comfort and security on the beach.

Local impact and future visitor appeal

Beyond the visitor experience, JFDZ has highlighted that the project will generate direct employment for residents of surrounding communities and activate the group’s corporate social responsibility programmes in the area. These initiatives are intended to support the local environment and promote sustainable development, ensuring that tourism revenues feed back into community welfare and skills development.

Looking Ahead

The renewed Dead Sea Tourist Beach now provides better access to one of Jordan’s most famous natural sites for all visitors who come to the beach from Amman for day trips or who want to spend time with their families at the water or who plan to stay at the beach for wellness treatments. The upgraded facilities and improved management system together with the connection to Corniche and other Dead Sea developments will transform this beachfront area into a public seaside destination that visitors will enjoy returning to and recommending to others.

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