Kashmir, one of the most beautiful and coveted tourist destinations of India, is truly called ‘the paradise on earth’. In an effort to place the region among world’s top tourism destinations, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Advisor to Governor of the state, on Tuesday addressed tourism stakeholders that the government is ready to assist in all possible manner to transform the valley into a world class tourist destination. Communicating with the service providers and stakeholders, Ganai motivated them to achieve the goal by the year 2020.
In order to make the tourists stay longer in Kashmir, he proposed to adopt effective tourist-friendly measures and emphasized on promoting night tourism especially. Further he appealed the tourists to experience the incomparable beauty of this Northen valley of India and its varied tourism products as well.
Welcoming the tourists wholeheartedly who were there to celebrate Christmas and New Year, Ganai said that the region is witnessing an encouraging tourist footfall for the past few months and for this he accredited the tourism department and the tour operators for their relentless effort doing tourism promotional activities.
According to Ganai, over 8.5 lakh domestic and 50,000 foreign tourists arrived this year and the hotels at Gulmarg are completely packed for the New Year. Further, suggesting travel and tour operators to strengthen their relationships with other state’s travel agents and tourism promoters, he said, “it is very important to build upon your contacts and personal relationships with the travel agents from other states who help in bringing tourists to your region.”
Ganai also stressed upon providing quality services to the travellers so that they could return to their places with happy memories.
“We are taking pride in our people whose conduct with tourists is very pleasing. These people are working very hard to bring tourists to Kashmir. Along with this we also have to focus on providing the best services to tourists who will extend their best experiences to travellers here in the State,” he said.
Recalling his recent visit to New Delhi, Ganai said he appealed the Union Government of India to help in promoting JK Tourism at national and international levels.
He even urged people and the service providers whether government or private, for a clean and green Kashmir and not to compromise on the fragile environment and unclean surroundings. Regarding the tourists infrastructures he accepted that in some places it need a major improvement.
Ganai was also accompanied by Director, Department of Tourism, Kashmir Nisar Ahmad Wani there.Interacting with the tourist and the service providers on the occasion Wani assured full support to the service providers in marketing the State as the best tourist destination of the country.He said his department would promote J&K tourism insistently in various travel marts and organising road shows outside of the state to woo tourists to its maximum.
On the occasion, representatives from various travel, hotel, houseboat and Shikara associations gave their suggestions for tourism promotion and also raised the issues they face in the industry. Advisor Ganai assured them that their grievances would be addressed.
The senior officials present on the occasion there were Deputy Director Publicity Reyaz Ahmad Shah, Deputy Director Recreation Sarfaraz Mohammad, Deputy Director M&W Abdul Qayoom Kirmani besides other officers.
