Srinagar, June 20: The valley–based tourism players today welcomed the Centre decision to extend the Leave Travel Concession (LTC) benefits to Jammu and Kashmir for its three million employees till 2014.
 Tourism industry hailed the endeavor of centre government, which according to them will give impetus to the tourism sector in the state.
 President, Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Owners Federation (KHAROF), Faiz Ahmad Bakshi told Greater Kashmir that we welcome the decision of centre government to extend the LTC benefits to our state.
 “It is a good move by the centre government, as it will extend the tourism season in valley. Number of tourists visiting valley, especially from other states of India will increase in coming months, which is good for our economy.  Tourism sector in Kashmir was completely shattered during past 20 years and moves like this would help us in reviving our tourism sector,” Bakshi said.
  He added that during 2010 visit of Prime Minster, Manmohan Singh to valley we had demanded that LTC should be granted to the state, before that it was not in place.
 President, Travel Agents Association of Kashmir ( TAAK) , Rauf Tramboo said : “ We appreciate the decision of centre government to extend the LTC to our state.  It helps our tourism sector. But we appeal to the Centre government that they should not keep this concession limited for a period of two years , but it should continue until Kashmir tourism sector fully recovers from the aftermath of the losses it has incurred during last 20 years.”
 “We would also like to appeal centre government that registration for LTC should be done through local travel operators of valley,” Tramboo said.
 President , Travel Agents Society of Kashmir (TASK) hailed the decision of Centre government. Secretary, TASK Rafiq Siah said: “ We hail the decision of centre government , it is a good decision keeping  in view , that tourism is the backbone of our economy .” 
 Secretary, Houseboat Owners Association, Muhammad Rafi Karnai also welcomed the decision of centre government to extend LTC to the state.
 “It is a positive sign and we appreciate it. We thank centre government for this decision. It will definitely have a good impact on our tourism sector as the inflow of centre government employees visiting this place will increase by this scheme,” Karnai said. 

Lastupdate on : Wed, 20 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 20 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 21 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST