Stressing upon the need for the promotion of tourism in Jammu, Minister of State for Tourism, Education, Culture, Floriculture and Parks, Priya Sethi today convened a high level meeting to review the arrangements put in place for the celebration of Jammu Festival 2017- ‘Jammu Mahotsav’ from April 13 to 16 organized by State Tourism Department.During the interaction with different tourism stakeholders, the Minister said that the aim behind organizing these events is to open the window for tourists to explore Jammu as a destination of tourism, culture and heritage.The Minister asserted that the tourist association is working on the ground for the promotion and that people can also suggest how the association can adopt various techniques to throw Jammu on tourism map of State.“Department of Tourism will facilitate people for promoting State tourism,” she said. She also stressed the need for wide publicity of the festival for attracting maximum number of tourists to the State. She called upon Doordarshan to explore the possibility to telecast all major event of the festival.
She also directed the officers of Tourism Department for publicizing the festival on the LED’s at the Airport, Railway and Bus-Stand.The Minister also exhorted the stakeholders to look for the out-of-state publicity options to cater the neighboring States to invite them to Jammu for celebrating Baisakhi in Jammu with the festival of ‘Jammu Mahotsav’.Sethi also directed the officers to look for the possibility to hire Abhinav Theatre for showcasing the art and theatre by the State artists. She also took stock of proper sanitation and cleanliness during the four day festival.Briefing the Minister about various programmes being organized during the festival, Director Tourism Jammu Sushma Chauhan said that the venue for the four-day festival will be Bagh-e-Bahu.She said the festival will be inaugurated with cultural programs showcasing the dancing in Pahari, Rouf, Ladakhi, Jabro, Shiv Pravati. Besides, Laser show, Handicraft exhibition, Amusement rider, Magic show, Live Band, Flea Market and Heritage walk for two days from Bahu-Plaza to Railway and Raghunath Bazar to Shahidi Chowk will feature in the festival.Joint Director Tourism Jammu Vishal Mahajan, Deputy Director Tourism, other officers from Tourism Department and stake holders of Hotel, Transport association were present in the meeting.