Continuing with its series of road shows, Department of Tourism J&K organized another road show at Bangalore which received overwhelming response from travel trade fraternity from Karnataka.Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Education, Culture and Tourism, Priya Sethi said Government of India has come up with unique connectivity scheme UDAN or “Ude Desh ka Aam Nagarik” for efficient regional air connectivity, where one can reach to the unexplored but equally beautiful tourist destinations like Gurez, Zanaskar, Badarwah, Poonch and Rajouri regions besides Vaishno Devi Shrine and other religious places through helicopter services. She invited the youth of Bangalore to come and unwind in the pristine beauty of the J&K state.There has been surge in the tourist flow to Kashmir from South India which has encouraged the department to reach out to the travellers in South India”, the Minister maintained. She said Government of India has substantially funded for the tourism promotion and infrastructure development in J&K to tap the tourism potential in the state. Facilities are being created by the State and the centre government for the comfortable and safe stay of the tourists, she added.
The Minister asked the business houses to explore the MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Events) as the state has world class facilities for the same.Secretary Tourism Sarmad Hafeez highlighted the feature of each region of the state and informed that J&K Tourism Development Corporation is offering 50 percent discount on its all properties for the travellers.“We have the finest and the most beautiful locations that will make your visit a memorable one. We are currently offering accommodation at 50 percent rebate to tourists and one can also enjoy stay at houseboats at discounted rates,” Secretary said.Director Tourism Jammu, Smita Sethi and Director Tourism Kashmir, Mahmood A Shah also delved on the tourism prospects of J&K.President, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Javed Tenga and Chairman, Tourist Trade Interest Guild Akram Siah were also present on the occasion.Tourism Department also screened Short Film “Warmest Place on Earth” along with other short films on different tourist destinations.Scores of the travel agent, hoteliers and houseboat owners from all the three regions of the J&K visited Bangalore to participate in the tourism show which was also attended by over 100 leading tour operators of Karnataka.President Travel Agents Society of Kashmir, Mir Anwar, General Secretary Travel Agents Association of Kashmir, Farooq A Kuthoo, President Kashmir Hotels and Restaurant Owners Federation, Abdul Wahid Malik, President Kashmir Hotels and Restaurant Association, Dr Abdul Majid, President J&K Hoteliers Club, Mushtaq Chaya, Travel Agents Association of India JK Chapter, Zahoor Qari, Chairman Domestic Tour Operators Association of Kashmir, Hamid Wangnoo, Pilgrim and Leisure Tour Operators Forum Chairman, Nasir Shah, Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Alliance, Manzoor Pakhtoon were also present on the occasion.