J&K tourism department is organising a 4-day long familiarisation (FAM) trip for the leading tour operators from Maharashtra, who arrived here on Sunday.
Secretary Tourism Rigzian Sampheal welcomed the 30-memberdelegation at Tourist Reception Center, Nowgam, here from where they were takento prime tourist resort Pahalgam.
Rigzian interacted with the delegates and apprised themabout the tourism products of the State, a tourism department handout said.
He urged them to promote J&K as the prime touristdestination of the country.
Prominent among the delegates included Sudhir Patel,President of Maharashtra Tour Operators Association (MTOA); Atul Mohile SecretaryMTOA; Vishvajeet Patil of Raja Rani Travels; Prabhubhai of Heena Travels;Satishbhai of Pooja Holidays and other members of MTOA.
The tour operators were shown different tourist attractionsat Pahalgam and also had an interaction with the local travel and hospitalitysector in the evening, the statement said.
The Secretary Tourism said the FAM trip is a part ofdepartment’s promotional campaign, which will help promote the State’s primedestinations and also give local travel and hospitality sector a networkingopportunity with these leading tour operators from Maharashtra.
On the second day, Monday, the tour operators will visittourist places in Srinagar including Tulip Garden and in the evening will haveanother interaction with the travel and hospitality sector here at the TourismDirectorate office.
On the third day, Tuesday, the delegation will visit Gulmargand enjoy its beauty. The group will leave on Wednesday from Gulmarg.
A week earlier, the department organised FAM trip for therepresentatives of leading media houses from Maharashtra.
Director Tourism Kashmir Nisar Ahmad Wani said Maharashtrais one of the main markets for J&K from where tourists come in largenumbers.
The department had organised a grand J&K TourismConclave on March 25 in Mumbai where Advisor to Governor Khurshid Ahmad Ganaiwas the chief guest.
He had announced that the FAM tour for the media persons andalso for the leading tour operators the State will be organised to make themaware of the State’s tourism products and also promote them.
Vishvajeet Patil of Raja Rani Travels thanked the departmentfor the FAM trip.
“Kashmir is the number of destination in India. Duringsummer when there is a lot of heat in Indian plains we get a big chunk ofbusiness for Kashmir. It is very essential for us to visit Kashmir and know howthings are here and what tourism infrastructure is in place to promotethem,” said Patil.