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Celebrating communities' roles on World Tourism Day

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"The world is at a far greater risk from tuberculosis than Ebola. We need to take strong measures to create awareness and remove misconceptions which unnecessarily create panic and hit tourism across the African continent," consul general of South Africa (SA) Pule Malefane said at a gathering to mark World Tourism Day (WTD). "SA is the cradle of humanity and everyone who's born on this planet should visit it at least once," said Malefane who, in keeping with this year's theme of community development, underlined how tourism industry works closely with communities in SA tourist spots.

The consulate general of Vietnam Vu Son Thuy rued how Indians form less than 20,000 of the over eight million tourists visiting Vietnam every year. "At a time when we are developing closer ties it will be great if more Indians come and explore what we have to offer," he said. Diplomatic consul of Belgium Pinkey Ahluwalia, Clarence Fernandes of the Rwanda development board, Rashna Samel of Kenya tourism were among the other speakers.

From projects with locals protecting mangroves in Sri Lanka and Maldives as well as diving in Cairns great barrier reef, they all touched upon celebration of "the wonderful world we live in," underlining how it is we, the people, the community, who have to save planet earth and network to sustain it.

Sidhesh Subhedar, representing Reunion Islands, an island nation not many in the audience knew of, proposed low altitude micro-light flights, whale watching, trekking along volcanoes. "We are now a direct flight away from Chennai. For Indians, there can be no problems because of Indian food available on the island. All you need to do is pack your bags since its visa-on-arrival."

Earlier in her welcome address, Elsie Gabriel of Young Environmentalists Trust, which organised the event, said, "This year's theme 'Tourism and Community Development' underscores the potential of tourism to promote opportunities for communities around the world, as well as the role that community engagement has, in advancing sustainable tourism development."

Held at the ecotel Meluha, the Fern, which has 29 international awards to its name due to its local community development initiatives, the event saw a huge turnout.

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