The SIPAS project-Advancing Sustainability and Technology in Tourism, Hospitality, and Services Studies through Strategic Industry Partnerships—brought together academics, industry representatives, policymakers and cultural institutions at a stakeholder meeting hosted by Pondicherry University to explore new directions in sustainable tourism education and India–Europe cooperation.

The European Union-funded Erasmus+ initiative seeks to modernise higher education in India through strategic partnerships with European institutions. The project focuses on curriculum and module development, integration of new modules into the MBA (Tourism and Travel Management) programme, and the application of emerging technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in tourism education at Pondicherry University and the National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (NITHM).

Dr. Kishor Kumar Tripathy, Member Secretary, AuroBharati, Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry, and a member of the SIPAS Steering Committee, participated in the stakeholders’ meeting and presented perspectives on “A Legacy of Learning: AuroBharati, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, and the Future of Tourism Research at Pondicherry University.” Dr. Tripathy emphasised the need to move beyond conventional approaches to tourism and develop a framework that connects tourism with knowledge, cultural exchange, inner development and sustainable community development.

Dr. Tripathy emphasised the need to move from pilgrimage tourism to transformative tourism, highlighting the potential of spiritual and cultural destinations to offer experiences centred on learning, reflection, intercultural understanding and personal development rather than conventional pilgrimage alone.

He advocated a shift from heritage sites to knowledge ecosystems, viewing heritage institutions and cultural destinations as living spaces that connect education, research, communities, culture and tourism. Drawing on the Council of Europe’s Cultural Routes Programme, launched in 1987, he highlighted the value of connecting shared cultural and intellectual heritage across geographical boundaries through tourism, education and cultural cooperation.

Dr. Kishor Kumar Tripathy highlighted the importance of India–EU policy and bilateral cooperation in advancing tourism education and cultural collaboration. Referring to key India–EU strategic frameworks and the 2026 India–Netherlands Strategic Partnership Roadmap, he proposed a Pondicherry Model inspired by the Council of Europe’s Cultural Routes framework, integrating heritage, education, spirituality, research, technology, tourism and community participation.

He emphasised that tourism should go beyond promoting spiritual destinations and serve as a pathway for knowledge, inner development, intercultural dialogue and sustainable community development. He also presented his views on “From Virtual Heritage to Cultural Tourism: Strengthening Networks among Academia, Industry, Communities, and Government in India and Europe,” highlighting the role of digital heritage and virtual platforms in strengthening international collaboration among universities, tourism industries, communities and governments.

Academia and industry discuss collaborative opportunities

The conference brought together representatives from academia, tourism, hospitality, government and industry under the theme “Bridging Academia–Industry: Indian & European Perspectives.”

Assoc. Prof. Pedro Pardal, Dean of the Business School at IPS, Portugal, shared his perspectives on strengthening links between academic institutions and the tourism and hospitality industry. Dr. Catia Rodrigues, Lecturer at IPS, also participated in the discussions.

Prof. Sibi P. S., Head of the Department of Tourism Studies and SIPAS Member and Co-Patron, accompanied the dignitaries and participated in the programme.

The gathering included tourism and hospitality stakeholders such as Mr. P. Thanikasalam, Vice President, Hotel Association of Pondicherry; Mr. Karunagaran Ramachandran, President, Pondicherry Association for Travel and Hospitality; Mr. Vikas Tembhare, Founder, DTORR and Associate Partner, Maharashtra; and Ms. Asha Gupta, DGM, PTDC, Puducherry.

Other participants included Sri Janmejay Mohanty, Trustee, Bharat Nivas – The Pavilion of India, Auroville; Dr. Pradeep Kumar Nayak, IAS, Government of Odisha; Prof. Joby Thomas, Dean, Yeshwanthpur Campus, Christ University, Bengaluru; Mr. Christopher Prashanth, CFO, CP Ventures, Puducherry and YI, CII; and other academic and industry representatives.

Building a shared India–Europe knowledge network

The conference highlighted the growing importance of partnerships between universities, tourism enterprises, government agencies and cultural organisations in shaping the future of tourism education.

The SIPAS initiative’s emphasis on curriculum innovation, digital technologies, AR/VR applications and industry partnerships provides a platform for exploring new forms of tourism education. The participation of AuroBharati added a cultural and knowledge dimension to the discussions, particularly around the legacy of Sri Aurobindo and the potential of Pondicherry as a centre for research into spiritual, cultural and transformative tourism.

The discussions pointed towards a broader understanding of tourism—one that connects heritage with education, technology with cultural experience, and tourism with sustainable community development—while creating new avenues for academic and institutional cooperation between India and Europe.