Vice-Chairman JKTDC Rafi Ahmad Mir today interacted with tourism stakeholders ahead of SATTE, a leading travel show.On the directions of Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, VC JKTDC Rafi Ahmad Mir reviewed preparation of the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department for the prestigious travel and tourism show.Describing tourism as core industry to promote economy of the state, Mir said Chief Minister is taking keen interest in promoting tourism in J&K by taking stakeholders on board and taking consistent efforts to involve locals in reorganizing the tourism industry.Mir asked the stakeholders to come up with suggestions and ideas to promote tourism in J&K. He said people of Jammu and Kashmir have a great history of being best hosts and their hospitality is testimony to the fact that every nook and corner of J&K is welcoming the tourists.He asked the stakeholders to invest in niche locations to attract more tourists like tented accommodation and thatched huts that may give tourists a feel of natural surroundings. “At the same time, it would also help us to avoid building solid concrete structures at tourist destinations,” he added.
Mir said that tourism familiarization programs were held across the country to gain goodwill of the people and travel agents so that Jammu and Kashmir becomes a preferred destination for the tourists, as it caters to every segment.He said apart from infrastructure, tourism paraphernalia was also being developed to provide benefits to the local population. Mir lauded the role of stakeholders for making efforts to assist government in generating positive public response. The members of the trade appraised Mir of the problems faced by the industry.On this occasion Director Tourism Kashmir Mehmood Shah, Dy Director Tourism (Publicity) Peerzada Zahoor, Assistant Director Zahida, Tourist Officer, Pamila, Sr Manager Marketing JKTDC CB Kaul and other officers of JK Tourism & JKTDC were present.The meeting was attended by most of the travel trade fraternity including Mushtaq Chaya, Nasir Shah, Nazir Tunda, Rajesh Langar and travel writer Sehgal.