Indian Ambassador in Spain Mr. Vikram Misri has vowed to help promote J&K in Spain and ease out travel advisories on Kashmir.In an interactive session with the State’s travel trade bodies here at SKICC, the Indian Ambassador said that he would take up the matter of travel advisories on Kashmir with the Government of Spain so that Spanish footfall to Valley increases. He also vowed to promote J&K in organizing road shows and distributing publicity material in Spain.Secretary Tourism J&K government Mr. Farooq A Shah, Director Tourism Kashmir Mr. Mahmood A Shah, Deputy Director Tourism Kashmir (Publicity) Mr. Peerzada Zahoor were also present during the interactive session.The representatives of the local travel trade bodies put forth certain suggestions before the Indian Ambassador and Department of Tourism J&K.Secretary Tourism informed the Ambassador that Spanish visit Kashmir especially ski resort Gulmarg for skiing during winter months. He said the footfall of the travelers from Spain has decreased due to the prevailing travel advisories which needed to be eased out.
Mr. Misri, who is also the son of soil, assured the Secretary Tourism and travel trade fraternity that he would take up the matter with the new Government in Spain which would be formed after the elections is over in the country by the Month of September. He also assured that the Indian Embassy in Spain would provide all possible help to J&K State government in organizing road shows in Spain. He also assured that he would wholeheartedly support the State in the tourism related promotional activities in Spain.The Indian Ambassador suggested the Department to participate at individual level in International Tourism Fair FITUR held every year in January in Spain. He said, “Many States including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, participate in the mart individually, displaying their publicity material at Indian Pavilion”. J&K Government should take cue from these states and have its own full-fledged counter,” he added.
Secretary Tourism said that it was the dream of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to make the State all season tourist destination for the world. “We would make every effort to participate in the FITUR in Spain in January,” he maintained.Director Tourism Kashmir said that they would also like to invite leading travel agents from Spain for FAM Tour. “Everything is normal here. Before the elections are held in Spain for the formation of new government, we will try our best to host FAM tour for leading travel agents from Spain. As they would see by themselves how tourists are enjoying here without any apprehensions. They can then plead our case with the government for easing out travel advisories and promote Kashmir,” he added.The tourism department is also slated to host another interactive session on Friday with Indian Ambassador in Cuba.