Travel trade representatives meet Tourism Secy; discuss winter tourism

SRINAGAR, NOV 7: Representatives of various travel and tour bodies  today had a meeting with the Secretary, Tourism, Sarmad Hafeez here and discussed the obtaining tourism scenario here.

Director, Tourism, Kashmir, Fazlul Haseeb, other officers of the Tourism Department and representatives of travel and tour operators were present in the meeting.

The representatives put forth different issues and suggestions for tourism promotion with respect to their concerned fields in the Kashmir valley. They thanked the Department for its continued support in promoting the sector by taking several path breaking initiatives.

Speaking on the occasion, the Tourism Secretary impressed upon the stakeholders to work closely with the Department for obtaining maximum results for the sector and the trade. He informed the group that the Department is working round the clock to maintain the lead Jammu & Kashmir has attained in the last two years in the tourism sector in the country and sought their active involvement and feedback.

Sarmad Hafeez maintained that J&K has a huge potential in terms of tourism and recreational activities where the local stakeholders from the tourism sector would offer and advertise offbeat tourist destinations besides the already established ones to people outside so that the Union Territory maintains its number one tourist destination tag in the country.

The Tourism Secretary informed the group that a series of roadshows and promotional events, at national and international levels, have been planned by the Department for the coming days and months so that the tourist footfall to the UT is not only maintained but also increased. He said besides Gulmarg destinations like Sonamarg, Doodhpathri and Yousmarg would be kept open in coming winters and many snow activities are being planned to attract more tourists during winters.

Sarmad Hafeez said both the department and the stakeholders should work together for betterment of the tourism sector as the intent of the government is to help local stakeholders to take maximum benefit through these tourism activities.