Tourism, environment need attention: Hoteliers Club, NTTA, TAAK to Parliamentary Delegation

Srinagar: A congenial atmosphere for tourism, safeguards for Kashmir’s business community’s investments and conservation of Kashmir’s water bodies were among the key issues raised by important tourism associations with the visiting parliamentary delegation today in Srinagar.

As reported, an 18 member Parliamentarian delegation arrived in Srinagar on Wednesday on a “study tour”, and are meeting all-party leaders and stakeholders of tourism, culture and transport. The members are part of standing committee on tourism, culture and transport.

J&K Hoteliers’ Club General Secretary, Tariq Rahis Bedaba, told Ziraat Times that the club raised several issues concerning the tourism industry in general and the hotel industry in particular.

“Some of the recent moves that has created anxiety among hoteliers, an affordable cap for air fares to Srinagar, due safeguards for the investments of the business community and a proactive campaign to reach out to post-Covid travelers with attractive packages were raised by the Hoteliers Club”, Mr Bedaba said, adding “since there are some positive signs of a tourism revival happening in Kashmir earlier than anticipated, we must position ourselves to provide a congenial and highly satisfying atmosphere to the tourists.

Nigeen Tourist Traders Association chairman Manzoor Wangnoo, while raising the issue of the water bodies of Kashmir emphasized on due attention for the preservation and conservation of Kashmir’s waterbodies in the face of intense human pressure and climate change.

“Water bodies of Kashmir need immediate attention with a conservation and restoration plan based on ecological considerations”, he told Ziraat Times.

Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) highlighted the issues of unbridled air fares and infrastructural deficiencies that play a spoilsport with the efforts in reviving Kashmir tourism in a post Covid19 scenario.

Farooq Kuthoo, President of Travel Agents Association of Kashmir told Ziraat Times that the travel trade support and facilitation sector in Kashmir was concerned about the uncontrolled air fares and the deficient infrastructure in Kashmir.

“We raised several issues with the parliamentary delegation. Among the issues of concern that were raised are the frequent closure of the Srinagar-Jammu highway, inadequate power and energy arrangements in harsh winter conditions and also the logistical challenges like non-clearance of snow from public places leading to immense traffic jams and travel delays”, Mr Kuthoo said, adding that while in a post-Covid scenario tourism revival seems on cards, a congenial atmosphere was must to be provided by the administration.

Meanwhile, the delegation is meeting representatives of various political parties, including president of National Conference Dr Farooq Abdullah. Minister of State for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region and Prime Minister’s Office; Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, are also part of the delegation.

The delegation is also meeting National Highway Authority officials and discuss development of National Highways especially Jammu-Srinagar National Highway which for last several years remains mostly closed during winters and rainy season.

The delegation are also visiting Gulmarg and spend a night there. On the first day of their tour, they visited Dachigham Wildlife Sanctuary and Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar.