India’s first PATA Student Chapter: Seizing Opportunity Amidst Adversity
Bangalore, India, 29th January, 2021 - PATA India CHRIST University Student Chapter came into existence during a time filled with uncertainty, both in professional and daily life, owing to the prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the university closing and planned events halted, the chapter had to rise to the new challenge of planning and managing activities in new, innovative ways. The newly formed core team was quick to adapt, and in the last 10 months, the Student Chapter has hosted 8 webinars, and 6 collaborative events partnering with student chapters around the globe, as well as tourism organizations.
The webinars conducted thus far have featured a range of distinguished speakers, including professionals from PATA HQ and the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Recently, the chapter co-hosted a mega event, “Christmas for All” in December. This event aimed at uplifting lesser fortunate communities.Donations from partnering student chapters were made to orphanages, homeless shelters, and animal shelters. It truly embodied the spirit of Christmas and the gift of giving.
Our chapter has collaborated with more than 5 PATA Student Chapters throughout the year. These collaborations and monthly webinars have helped in paving the way for finding productive solutions to problems that the tourism industry is currently facing, and will face in the near future. While the pandemic necessitated physical distancing, it has brought the chapter closer to other chapters worldwide.
For World Tourism Day, a week-long event was held for students of Indian universities as well as members of PATA Student Chapters. The event was hosted by the student chapter along with India Tourism (Incredible India) and gave students an opportunity to actively engage in competitions that created simulated settings of current challenges in the tourism industry. The most recent event hosted was the National Tourism Day celebration on 25th January 2021 which witnessed our first ever Hybrid event; Safarama where the chapter members enthusiastically shared their most memorable travel stories from across our diverse nation.
All of the events held by the chapter till date have received positive, encouraging responses. Almost every event has had more than 100 participants, actively involving themselves in the discussions and activities. Collaborations have facilitated the networking of members of the chapter with industry professionals as well as members from partnering chapters.
PATA India CHRIST University Student Chapter is grateful for the continued support from CHRIST (Deemed to be University), PATA HQ and fellow student chapters that have enabled it to be a successful student body for young tourism aspirants even amidst a global crisis. The chapter aims to fulfill this role in the best way possible.
About PATA India CHRIST University Student Chapter
Founded in 2020, PATA India CHRIST University Student Chapter is India’s first PATA Student Chapter. The organisation is run by students of the tourism discipline of CHRIST (Deemed to be University) for the benefit of more than 250 members spanning across undergraduate and postgraduate tourism programmes in the university. The members are encouraged to participate in activities hosted by the chapter which focus on various concerns of the industry including sustainability and industry development.
Reach out to PATA India CHRIST University Student Chapter:
Instagram: @pata_cu_
Facebook: @patachristuniversity
LinkedIn: @patachristuniversity
Email: patacustudentchapter@gmail.com
For more information, please contact:
Arundhathi Narayan, Head of PR
Email: arundhathi.pn@bba.christuniversity.in
Prerna Hatyal, Chairperson
Email: prerna.hatyal@bba.christuniversity.in