The Southville International School and Colleges’ (SISC) College of Tourism celebrated World Tourism Day by collaborating with the Jyoti Nivas College Autonomous (JNCA) in Bangalore, India. The event represented the College of Tourism’s first international partnership, underscoring its commitment to global engagement and educational excellence. 

The celebration featured a keynote address by Dr. Rolly Donato, Academic Director of SISC and Dean of Southville Graduate Studies focused on the theme, “ Diplomacy beyond Borders: Promoting Peace through People-to-People Tourism Initiatives. Dr. Donato shared insights on the efforts aimed at fostering direct connections, mutual understanding, and collaboration between individuals or groups from different countries and communities.  He also emphasized building relationships across cultural, national, and regional lines to promote mutual respect, peace, and cooperation, more so, the importance of sustainable tourism practices and the role of education in fostering a deeper understanding of cultural diversity. 

Dr. Rene Aligonero, Chairperson of Tourism of SISC and International Linkages Director, on the other hand, is one of the panelists who also articulated common forms of people-to-people initiatives like cultural exchanges, educational programs, volunteering and service projects; and peacebuilding initiatives that aimed at promoting tourism and peace, universally.

The event concluded with a commitment from both SISC and JNCA to continue working together towards innovative and inclusive approaches in tourism education, ensuring that future generations are well-equipped to navigate and contribute to the global tourism industry.

The partnership between SISC and JNCA through the International Linkages Office (ILO) is a testament to the institutions’ shared vision of advancing tourism education and fostering international cooperation. This collaboration is expected to pave the way for joint initiatives, benefiting students and the broader community.