Srinagar, March 20: Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) executive committee lead by its President Javed Ahmad Tenga held a detailed meeting with Secretary Tourism Syed Abid Rashid Shah at Hotel Taj Vivanta today evening. The KCCI apprised him of the present status of tourism, growing tourist footfall and the challenges facing tourism stakeholders, a KCCI spokesperson told Ziraat Times.
A detailed sector-wise fact sheet underlining the problems faced by hospitality industry – in Hotels & Houseboats, restaurants, travel, tour and transport sectors etc. was presented during the meeting.
The secretary was apprised in detail the problems faced in renewal of registration licences, issues of Pollution Control Board, Fire and Emergency Services, Restructuring & OTS of bank loans, hotel & restaurant lease matters, harassment faced by tourists at Pahalgham, Gulmarg, Sonamarg and other tourist destinations, the spokesperson said.
Attention was also invited to the problem of houseboats in renewal, repairs and reconstruction of Kashmir’s USP and Heritage Houseboats sector, he added.
“KCCI also sought his assistance in doubling the quantity of subsidised timber required for regular upkeep and maintenance of houseboats every alternate year. KCCI also recommended holding of tourism promotional fairs nationally and internationally commensurate with the status and standing of the association”, he said.
The problems faced by tourist taxi and maxi operators at the hands of Traffic Police by being stopped at multiple places for checking their registration and other documents was also raised.
KCCI suggested to Secretary Tourism that vehicles checked for fitness and other operational requirements should be allowed to display stickers for smooth travel throughout Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh and other destinations. The menace of overcharging by service providers, sale of fake handicrafts, overcharging by transporters at tourist destinations was also explained to him in detail.
“The Secretary Tourism listened to the KCCI presentation attentively and assured that the stakeholders would witness a marked change in coming days. He was kind enough to instantly speak to officers and issue necessary orders for immediate redressal of issues. The KCCI team on the occasion felicitated Secretary Tourism and thanked him for his understanding and time”, the spokesperson added.
