CM engages with media at  TTF Kolkata; highlights Kashmir’s tourism outlook 

Ziraat Times Team Report

Kolkata: On the sidelines of the Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) Kolkata 2025, Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah engaged with the press to promote the Union Territory’s growing profile as a premier all-season travel destination. The Chief Minister highlighted the transformative initiatives taken by his administration to tap into J&K’s vast tourism potential and ensure equitable development across the region.

Speaking to a gathering of national and regional media, Omar Abdullah said, “Jammu & Kashmir is no longer just a summer retreat. We are actively repositioning it as a year-round destination for leisure, adventure, culture, pilgrimage, and eco-tourism.”

The Chief Minister, flanked by his Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Farooq Shah and Mushtaq Ahmed Chaya, Chairman of J&K Hoteliers Club, highlighted the state’s natural diversity as a key advantage in developing a diversified and resilient tourism economy.

“Whether it is skiing in Gulmarg, spring blooms in Badamwari, spiritual journeys to Shri Amarnath Ji and Vaishno Devi, or heritage trails in Srinagar and Jammu — J&K offers something for every traveler, in every season,” the CM noted.

CM Omar Abdullah also outlined several ongoing and planned measures to boost tourism infrastructure and visibility, including:

• Strengthening the tourism circuit from Poonch to Kupwara, with a focus on unexplored destinations

• Improved road, air and digital connectivity to remote and emerging tourist areas

• Promotion of winter sports and adventure tourism through public-private partnerships

• Sustainable tourism models, including eco-tourism and home stays to empower local communities

• Collaborations with Online Travel Aggregators (OTAs) and tech platforms to improve booking accessibility

• Enhanced safety and hospitality standards to reassure domestic and international tourists

Omar Abdullah also emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that tourism benefits are equitably shared across regions and social segments. “Tourism must not only showcase our beauty — it must uplift lives. Our vision is to create jobs, strengthen local economies, and preserve the cultural and natural heritage that makes J&K unique,” he said.

Participating in TTF Kolkata 2025, one of India’s largest travel trade events, the J&K pavilion witnessed significant footfall from travel agents, hospitality stakeholders, and tourism professionals. The UT’s delegation presented brochures, itineraries, multimedia exhibits, and cultural elements to attract potential visitors and investment.