Principal Secretary Tourism, Sandip Naik, today held another interactive session with the travel trade bodies including TAAK, TASK, AKTO, PILTOF, JKTA, Shikara Union and IMF here at SKICC to discusses various issues pertaining to tourism sector.The Travel Trade Fraternity demanded night flights at Srinagar Airport to boost the tourist influx. The travel agents said evening flights was their long pending demand which should be fulfilled to give fillip tourism receives.On the occasion, President of Indian Mountaineering Foundation Col HS Chauhan said they would organize mountain climbing marathon in ending August to familiarize the locals about the importance of the maintaining.He said IMF would also organize youth festival in all the three regions of the State so that youth are attracted to adventure sports and also to provide employment to local youth. He said the youth can be trained under Huner-se-Rozgar scheme in rafting, climbing and trekking.The travel trade bodies also urged Principal Secretary to continue print and electronic media campaign to promote J&K as prime tourist destination across India and abroad.
The tour operators said FAM tour of the leading travel agents from outside should be give priority so that they see by themselves how safe J&K is. The tourism stakeholders said they would also sell off-beat destinations and niche products like rafting, golf, etc.Naik assured the representatives of every possible support from the Government for running their business smoothly during ensuing tourist season 2016. He said the issues raised by the representatives during the interaction will be taken up with the Government and other concerned authorities.Director Tourism Kashmir Mr. Mahmood A Shah. MD Cable Car Corporation and CEO of Gulmarg Development Authority Mr. Nazir A Mir, Director SKICC Ms. Yasmeen Khan, Dy Director Publicity Tourism Mr. Peerzada Zahoor and other senior officers from SKICC and Tourism Department were present in the meeting.During the meeting it was also discussed that SKICC would be marketed for MICE tourism and made a brand in the country.The meeting also suggested issuance of online tickets and boarding passes for Gondola Cable car project to avoid last minute hurry and touting.The Tourism Department also assured the tourism stakeholders that it would make public in advance the festivals so as to attract tourists on these occasions.