Srinagar, Feb 12: Tourism sector in Jammu & Kashmir is upbeat about the upcoming Khelo India winter games in Gulmarg, seeing it as a major boost for the promotion of tourism in J&K, which, otherwise, has been going through a rough time for the last about one-and-a-half-years.
“We believe it is a big opportunity for everyone associated with the tourism industry. This will not only generate immediate business for hoteliers, tourism sector, tour operators, local retail and other service providers, it will also create an environment of positive marketing for the coming season”, Mushtaq Chaya, Chairman, J&K Hoteliers Club, told Ziraat Times.
Various players of the adventure tours and winter sports sector also see this event as a ‘catalyst in promoting adventure sports and eco-tourism in a post-civid situation.’
“We are bracing up for this event and are aggressively going about promoting it, which, we believe, will generate a lot of business for all segments of the tourism sector”, Nisar Ahmed, an adventure tour and travel professional told Ziraat Times.
Meanwhile, Hoteliers Club of Gulmarg is making all necessary preparations to make sure that the event is held in a professional and inclusive manner.
Allaying certain apprehensions being expressed by certain travel businesses about the pre-existing bookings, Mr Chaya said that there was no question of any pressure to make space available for the winter game participants at the cost of the pre-existing bookings, and that they have made arrangements to make sure that no pre-existing bookings were affected.
“We assure everyone that the pre-existing booking will not be affected. We have made arrangements that those tourists whose pre-existing bookings coincide with the winter sports event. Even for those tourists the games are going to be an added attraction, and I appeal to all stakeholders that let us work together in a spirit of cooperation to make this event be successful and make this parting winter event a memorable event for all visiting tourists”, Mr Chaya said.
“We are working closely with the Tourism Department, the local stakeholders and all segments of the tourism industry to make it a success. We plan to engage with all key stakeholders to ensure that this event is an inclusive one and that the visitors market this event as a new beginning for the upcoming tourism season”, Mr Chaya said.