Advisor to Governor Khurshid Ahmad Ganai Friday met several delegations from travel and hospitality sector who apprised him about issues confronting tourism industry of the state and gave various suggestions to boost state’s tourism sector.
According to a tourism department statement, the delegations that called on advisor include Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Travel Agents Society of Kashmir, Travel Agents Association of Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Alliance, Association of Kashmir Tour Operators, Pilgrim and Leisure Tour Operators Forum, Travel Agents Association of India -JK Chapter, Urban Travel Agents Association, Tourist Trade Interest Guild, Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association, Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Owners Federation, Adventure Tour Operators of Kashmir, Shikara Owners Association.
Director tourism Kashmir Nisar Ahmad Wani, Deputy Director Publicity Riyaz Ahmad Shah, Deputy Director M&W Abdul Qayoom Kirmani were also present on the occasion.
The delegation of houseboat owners sought financial package for the repair and renovation of the houseboats to save these heritage properties. They also sought rehabilitation of the de-registered houseboats located at Chinar Bagh, River Jhelum, Dal and Nigeen Lake in the form of developing a tourist village at Chandapora, Srinagar.
The tour operators urged the advisor to launch aggressive tourism promotion campaigns through road shows, participation in the travel and trade fairs across India and installing hoardings at prime locations in different cities in the country to set a positive message that Kashmir is safe tourist place.
The travel and tour operators also demanded that additional trains from the major cities like Ahmadabad, Kolkatta and other cities should be connected to Jammu to help attract budget class tourists.
They said the introduction of the night flights will also help in attracting more tourists especially corporate houses and regulate high air fare during the peak season.
Advisor assured that the department would launch aggressive promotional campaign within and outside the country to attract travellers across globe.
The advisor assured the tour operators that he would write to the Union Railway Minister for incorporating additional trains to Jammu in the union budget.
The advisor also met the delegations of adventure tour operators who sought training programmes for the local youth to train them as guides in adventure sports activities including river rafting, paragliding and skiing.
The advisor gave on-spot directions to the director tourism Kashmir to start the process of training local youth in all the three regions of the state.
The advisor also met the delegations of adventure tour operators who sought training programmes for the local youth to train them as guides in adventure sports activities including river rafting, paragliding and skiing.