Minister of State for Tourism and Culture, Ms Priya Sethi today said that special packages for various tourist destinations will be introduced for showcasing the rich heritage of the region and attracting tourists from across the country which will be boon for local economy.The Minister was chairing a meeting of officers and tour operators from Jammu for formulation of comprehensive plan for special packages and destination linked offers for retaining pilgrim tourists and promoting destinations. Secretary Tourism, Farooq Ahmed Shah, Managing Director J&K Tourism Development Corporation, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary besides senior officers of tourism department attended the meeting.The tour operators were represented by Rajesh Gupta, chairman Tourism Federation besides Jagvinder Kaul, Asif Iqbal, Nishant Gupta, Gurmeet Singh and Rajesh Chandan, executive members of the Tourism Federation.Ms Priya Sethi impressed upon the officers to introduce special packages for elderly couples, youth, student groups, trekkers, women, adventure sports etc. She asked the Tourism Department and JKTDC to introduce a number of activities to attract the pilgrims visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi temple to various destinations in Jammu region.
Tourism Department was asked for introducing Radio Taxis in Jammu, specially designed vehicles for tourists, battery operated cars for Patnitop and similar destinations while JKTDC was entrusted with providing special vehicles for various special packages for tourists.The Minister directed the Tourism Department and Tourism Federation to liaise with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board for facilitating inclusion of pilgrims for special packages. She also asked for improvement in condition of roads and power supply in Mansar-Surinsar circuit which will be taken up with concerned authorities.Ms Sethi also asked for development of infrastructure at camping sites, tracks, wayside amenities, and linking religious destinations like Shiv Khori, Mangla Mata, Shahdra Sharief, Nangali Sahab Gurudwara and also eco-tourism destinations in various districts. She also asked for a series of activities to be started for cultural and religious heritage in and around Jammu city. She asked for sustained approach for border tourism to be promoted on regular basis. District Development Commissioners will be asked for convergence of infrastructure and manpower for maximum utilization of tourism potential, the meeting decided.The Minister hailed the efforts of Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti for holistic development of tourism in the state where a large number of projects have been initiated and planned for promotion of tourism.