With an eye on winter tourism, J&K Hoteliers Club (J&KHC) has urged Lt Governor administration to extend the lease of the hoteliers at various tourist resorts.
According to a statement, J&KHC Chairman Mushtaq A Chaya while addressing media here said the hoteliers are in stress due to the expiry of the lease which, administration had from time to time assured to extend.
Chaya said that due to recent snowfall especially at Gulmarg, travellers have started visiting the Valley and are expected to come in large numbers in coming months.
“However, to host them properly, government has to provide every support to the hoteliers without pushing them to wall,” said Chaya.
Chaya further said the hoteliers are facing harassment at the hands of administration at a time when tourism has just started to pick up after over a year long zero tourist arrivals in Kashmir Valley.
“Kashmir tourism has been the worst hit since August 2019 and is struggling to survive. After August 2019 and later nation wide coronavirus lockdown, Kashmir tourism was hit badly. Hoteliers who have a lot of investment and manpower at stake were worst hit. Now as the government has opened the Valley for tourism activities, they are facing harassment which is hampering their efforts to promote tourism,” said Chaya. The JKHC Chairman further said the hoteliers are ready to welcome tourists on Christmas, New Year and also host India’s mega sporting event Khelo India this winter.
“To make these events a success, hoteliers are also making efforts and encouraging travellers to visit Kashmir. We have activated our marketing teams for winter tourism promotions. However, at this time, we badly need government support and not the harassment,” he said.
Chaya fervently appealed to the Lt Governor to impress upon the administration that the lease of the hoteliers may be extended so that they can work shoulder to shoulder with the government in attracting tourists in large numbers.
Meanwhile, J&KHC held its 8th Annual General Meeting today where the EC unanimously re-elected Chaya as its Chairman.
Riyaz Ahmad Shahdad was elected as senior vice chairman, Amit Amla as junior vice chairman, Tariq Rashid Ghani as secretary general, Naseer Ahmad Khan as joint general secretary and Musadiq Shah as treasurer.
During the AGM, all EC members, Chapter Presidents and other members participated.
Mukhtar Ahmad Shah was elected as Gulmarg Chapter President while Akib Chaya is its Secretary General at Gulmarg, Farooq Ahmad Hafiz has been re-elected as president of Sonmarg Chapter and Imtiyaz A Wani its Secretary General.
Imad Rafi is Chapter President Pahalgam, Chandert Shekhar Mahajan at Jammu, Pintoo Narboo at Leh and Ashraf Ali at Kargil.
The AGM was attended by all EC members and Chapter Presidents.