As per the directions issued by the Secretary Tourism, J&K regarding the ongoing “Jan Abhiyan” programme recently launched by Government, Joint Director Tourism, Jammu, Sunaina Sharma, today chaired a detailed meeting regarding the deliverables to be achieved by Directorate of Tourism during the ongoing “Jan Abhiyan” programme in which special emphasis is being laid on identification of tourist circuits, new destinations, home-stay identification and establishment of ‘Village Cooperatives’.
The meeting was attended by Abdul Jabbar, Deputy Director Tourism, Jammu; Ambika Bali, Assistant Director Tourism, Katra/Rajouri/Batote; Dr. Rajesh Raina, Tourist Officer Samba/Kathua; Mumtaz Ahmed, Tourist Officer, Rajouri and other officials of the Tourism Department, Jammu.
The Joint Director laid emphasis on identification of minimum 5 tourist destinations for each district of Jammu region during the “Jan Abhiyaan” programme, along with special focus on identification of ‘theme based Tourist Circuits’ wherein the specialties of each area shall be emphasized and highlighted to attract tourists.
In this regard, she directed the officers to work in tandem and put in synchronized efforts to meet the deliverables charted out for the Tourism Department. The officers were exhorted to ensure maximum involvement of local youth, members of PRIs, self help groups, Tourism Stakeholders and members of civil society in utilising the full potential of the identified and offbeat tourist destinations.
A detailed review regarding ‘District wise Publicity Material/Write Up’ encompassing all aspects of the notified and offbeat tourist destinations was also taken and the officers were asked to update the existing publicity material based on specific tourism categories i.e Adventure, Heritage, Culture, Rural tourism, Pilgrimage, Recreational along with responsible tourism, eco-friendly tourism, experiential tourism, niche tourism etc.
“The main focus be laid on the dissemination of complete and comprehensive information among public regarding all tourist destinations through the publicity material and it shall include the details regarding local guides, resource person, their contact details, local places of interest, local cuisines, popular art, craft, dance, culture, places of stay, hotels etc;” she said.
She further instructed the officers to organize extensive awareness camps and sensitize the general public regarding Home-stay Registration Policy of J&K Tourism Department. She also passed directions regarding formulation of “Village Cooperatives” and “District Level Tourism Promotion Clubs”.