GK NEWS NETWORK
Srinagar, May 13: With a view to encourage hotel industry, the Tourism Ministry has sent a soft loan plan to the Planning Department for approval, said Tourism & Culture Minister, Nawang Rigzin Jora during his meeting with the representatives of Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHRA) here today.
 He said increas]e in subsidy up to 75 per cent for setting up of generator units in hotels is also under active consideration of the government.
 The meeting among others was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Tourism,   Atul Dullo, Director Tourism, Kashmir,   Farooq Ahmed Shah, Special Secretary, Tourism,   Altaf Ahmed and President KHARA,   Siraj Ahmed.
 The meeting among other things, discussed the problems and demands of the hotel owners of civil lines areas of Srinagar city.
   Jora said the Government is making all efforts to promote tourism industry in the state, adding that due consideration is being given to fulfil genuine demands of hotel owners.
 The minister said that a meeting would be arranged with Environment Ministry and other allied departments to discuss the issue of relaxation in rules for issuance of NOC from pollution control board to the hotels for renewal of their registrations.
 Jora said the Centre has approved travel of its employees to Jammu and Kashmir by air under LTC scheme, adding concerned railway authorities would be approached to push some more train services to Jammu for facilitating visiting tourists. He said a railway booking counter would also be set up at suitable place in Srinagar city for the tourists.
 The Minister said that due to strenuous efforts of the government regarding showcasing the varied tourism potential of the state in and outside the country, it is expected that state would receive a big boom of tourists this year. He said the tourism ministry besides organizing road shows, exhibitions and other forms of publicity campaigns outside the state is also engaging an international publicity agency O & M  for showcasing the tourism potential of the state worldwide.
 Jora said Jammu and Kashmir is known globally for its hospitality decades over and called upon all stakeholders to provide maximum facilities to the visiting tourists with special care on boarding and lodging. He hoped that Jammu and Kashmir tourism would carve out a niche in international tourism.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 13 May 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 13 May 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 14 May 2011 00:00:00 IST