The Department of Tourism, Kashmir today organized a function here to celebrate ‘World Tourism Day’ in which travel trade fraternity and Kashmir University students participated and highlighted the importance of preserving ecologically fragile environment of the State.This year the theme of the Day was Sustainable Tourism – a tool for development.The event was a first of its kind in which Tourism Department joined its hands with academia and industry to brainstorm about the tourism promotion.Director Tourism Kashmir, Mahmood A Shah, who was the chief guest, urged people especially travel trade fraternity to promote eco-tourism.He said Kashmir’s environment is very fragile which needs to be protected by the people and especially the travel trade fraternity.“If we don’t take care of our environment, it will only destroy us. Most of the population here is directly or indirectly dependent on the tourism sector, we need to preserve and conserve our environment so that we save our State and tourism sector,” said Shah.
The Director said the Department is making all-out efforts to promote Kashmir as prime tourism place.He also complemented people for overwhelming support to the recently launched ad film on Kashmir hospitality which has received over 5 million views in on social media, so far. On the occasion, several representatives from travel trade fraternity also spoke about tourism sector and ways to promote it.Tourism and Hospitality Management students of the Kashmir University performed many skits highlighting importance of preserving environment for sustainable tourism.The students in their short plays drew the attention of the people towards conserving Dal Lake besides emphasizing on making efforts for afforestation.Deputy Directors of Tourism Department Peerzada Zahoor, Riyaz Beigh and Wasim Raja besides Coordinator of Tourism and Hospitality Management studies KU Dr Riyaz Qureshi were also present on the occasion.The event was held in collaboration with Department of Management, Kashmir University and Wildlife Conservation Fund.