Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today inaugurated the Gulmarg Convention Centre, expressing hope that the world-class facility would help position Gulmarg as a premier destination for international events and conventions, “on the scale of an Asian or Indian Davos.” Constructed at a cost of Rs 21 crore by the NBCC, the Centre aims to promote tourism, culture, business convergence and international conferencing in Jammu and Kashmir.
Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Gulmarg Pirzada Farooq A Shah, Additional Chief Secretary Tourism Dr. Ashish Chandra Verma, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Minga Sherpa, Director Tourism Kashmir Raja Farooq Yaqoob, CEO GDA Tariq Hussain and other senior officers were present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of the Ski Hire Shop, to be developed by the J&K Cable Car Corporation, further strengthening Gulmarg’s tourism infrastructure. Addressing the gathering, Omar Abdullah said while constructing physical infrastructure was important, its meaningful use and upkeep was even more critical.
“It is the easiest thing to build four walls. The real responsibility begins with their use and maintenance,” he said, pointing out that while NBCC completed the project within time and budget, the furnishing component was missing from the original DPR.
“Tourism Department, my Advisor and I are working to finalise the furnishing so that the Centre can be put to immediate use,” he added. The Chief Minister underlined the importance of positioning the Centre as a hub for MICE tourism, wedding destinations and high-profile events.
“We are considering linking it with SKICC’s marketing network so that Gulmarg Convention Centre can be promoted as part of a broader package,” he said. “Maintenance will also be done. And I want that one day, when we hear about Davos again and again, then people recognize it as Asian Davos, Indian Davos.
I want it to develop on that scale, if not, at least on a good scale, two or three annual events will come here, in which people from all over the world will participate.” Omar Abdullah also emphasised the need to create recreational opportunities for tourists during evenings in Gulmarg, especially in winters.
“Tourists go skiing, sledging and sightseeing, but in the evening they are left with little to do. This facility can change that. By setting up a coffee shop, restaurant and a digital cinema projection system, we can ensure that tourists have vibrant evening experiences, while generating revenue and keeping the asset active,” he said.
The Chief Minister urged government departments to utilise the facility for meetings, training programmes and official events until private sector interest increases. “Education, health, social welfare and other departments can hold programmes here, ensuring the Centre’s optimum use while giving participants a refreshing change of location,” he said.
Congratulating the NBCC and the Gulmarg Development Authority, Omar Abdullah said the project was a landmark addition to Gulmarg’s tourism profile. “With proper management, Gulmarg Convention Centre will not only serve as a hub for conferences and international gatherings but also become a vibrant space for recreational and cultural tourism,” he added.