Continuing with its promotional programme, the department of tourism participated in the 3-day India International Travel Mart which began from September 23 and culminated on September 25, 2016 here.The travel marts provide excellent opportunity for the states to showcase the products of travel, tourism, hospitality, leisure and other related industries. It is aimed at bringing the Industry, face-to-face with the travel trade.J&K receives a good number of tourists from Maharashtra. The two states have the oldest relations for travel trade business.The J&K stall received good response from visitors, travel agents and foreigners who wished to visit Kashmir.On the sidelines of the event, J&K Tourism Department organized an interactive session with the travel agents, travelers and media persons. The travel agents expressed concern over the cancelation of their bookings during the prevailing situation.The department assured them that it has already embarked on the vigorous campaign to attract tourists back. J&K participated in this premier travel exhibition with an aim to woo tourists back to Kashmir which had a dip during the current unrest.
Despite bad situation back in Valley, the department of tourism is trying to make its presence felt at these marts so that travelers and travel agents alike can make up their minds to visit Kashmir and not to let the Valley’s huge tourism potential be sidelined at these exhibitions.Earlier also, the Department participated in the travel marts at Ahmadabad, Surat and Kolkata to keep Kashmir tourism alive at these platforms.The J&K Government will also participate in the upcoming travel exhibitions including TTF Delhi in September, BITG in October and also Budhist conclave.The department is circulating and distributing publicity material highlighting all the tourism products of the state including leisure, pilgrimage, adventure, heritage, golf and MICE.In the Budhist Conclave, the department will also showcase the Bhudhist potential of the state.“We have to attract tourists back to Kashmir at these exhibitions. The travelers are willing to come back to Kashmir. If we don’t participate in these exhibitions, the Kashmir’s tourism industry will suffer,” said an official of the Tourism Department.