A deputation of Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Owners Federation (KHAROF) Lead by its president Abdul Wahid Malik Thursday called on Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh.The Minister of State for Tourism Priya Sethi was also present.The deputation projected several issues related to the promotion of tourism trade in the state. They also called for putting in place the necessary mechanism to counter the negative publicity being propagated by some vested interests and countering the same.The issue of five years GST Holiday for the tourism industry and extending the industry related incentives to the tourism industry was also projected.The Deputy Chief Minister assured the deputations that he would ensure the time bound redressal of the issues projected by them by taking up these with the concerned. He said that since tourism industry is the backbone of the State’s economy, therefore the government is committed to ensure that the proper propagation of tourism sector is undertaken.
Dr Singh further added that several new initiatives have also been introduced for ensuring the proper augmentation of the tourist infra and providing the requisite necessary facilities to the tourists coming here. He said that under Prime Minister’s Development Package, a special component has been earmarked for the tourism sector.The Deputy Chief Minister said that in order to do away with a negative publicity being done by certain quarters, a sustained campaign has been undertaken and special travel marts are being organised in different states of the country.