As helicopter service in Valley was launched for tourists visiting Kashmir, the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) Friday asked the Valley hoteliers and leading tour and travel companies to work hard and support the government to make the governments dream successful.In a round table conference held at RK Sarovar Port here, Mehmood Ahamd Shah, Director Tourism Kashmir directed the tour companies to play their role in the way of making the helicopter facility successful in the Valley.“Almost every place except Jammu and Kashmir was having helicopter facility for the tourists. Now with the help of Chief Minister of the state, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, the helicopter is available in Kashmir too but it stands our duty now to promote it in every aspect,” Mehmood Shah said.
“The ramshackle roads in the Kashmir were botheration for the tourists to move from Srinagar to Gulmarg and from Srinagar to Pahalgam. Now without facing any trouble while moving towards Pahalgam or Gulmarg via road, the tourists can have a look of whole Srinagar and other parts in no time, which will also prove beneficial for them,” he said.Valley hoteliers present in the meeting assured Director to support them. “We are ready to provide helicopter services to the tourist. In fact, we were waiting for the green from JKTDC so that we can sell more and more tickets for the upcoming new year,” hoteliers said.
Welcoming the helicopter facility in Kashmir, Valley hoteliers and tour companies said that it is the appreciable step taken by the Mufti led government. “The tourists while booking their tickets had always asked us about helicopter service but unfortunately due to non-availability of that several among those were cancelling their tickets. Now due to availability, we are sure that Kashmir will witness more and more tourists in this season,” they said.Pertinently, on November 22, Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed inaugurated special helicopter service in Kashmir. Billed as major initiative of Tourism department to attract high-end tourists from India and abroad, the service would be launched from Srinagar International Airport. (KNS)