Srinagar, Feb 7 (KNS): In major fillip to the tourism sector, the government is pushing to promote the picturesque valley as MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism destination which can boost economy of the state.
From hosting conferences and congresses of big business names, the tourism sector here will get unprecedented uplift after the major deluge of September 2014.
On Saturday, SKICC was abuzz with a MICE conference organised by Leisure Corps for HDFC and the guests were mesmerized by famous singer Daler Mehndi.
Naveen Kundu, founder and Managing Director of Leisure Corps, told KNS that Kashmir is the best destination for MICE tourism.
“Kashmir needs no introduction in the world for tourism. MICE tourism is a new thing, and making Kashmir its destinations will help to revive the economy of the state,” Kundu told KNS.
Being himself Kashmiri, from Srinagar’s Indranagar locality, Kundu said that he will promote Kashmir across the world for MICE tourism.
“I am a Kashmiri and I know how beneficial MICE tourism will prove for our state,” he said.
Leisure Corp is a leading corporation headquartered in India with a global presence, offering management solutions in the sector of hospitality, tourism, leisure, events and entertainment.
“We are one of those key players of tourism industry who aim to develop, promote and expand tourism, nationally & internationally, with an offering of an unprecedented services and domains in the related sphere.”
Kundu hailed the role played by tourism department. “Secretary Tourism, Farooq Ahmad Shah and Management of SKICC, including Director SKICC Yasmeen Khan, and Manager Marketing SKICC Shahnawaz Shah, played a key role in organizing the MICE conference on Saturday,” said Kundu, who was encouraged by Shah to hold MICE conferences of his clients in Kashmir.
So far, Leisure Corps has held three conferences here in the last three months and his next conference is scheduled in March.
“Besides conferences, holding congresses here can change the dynamics of tourism and economy. In conferences 200 to 300 high-end tourists arrive, but in congresses 2000 to 3000 people can came. Many Kashmirs are now CEOs of big industries. We can attract those people toward Kashmir,” the MD said.
YaseenTuman of Mascot Travels told KNS that tour operators are focusing on MICE tourism because conference tourism was ignored sector till last year.
Tuman said that all the people associated with tourism have to come together to promote Kashmir as destination for big conferences and events.
“The support from the government and cooperation from the tour operators are essential for boosting this sector, and I believe the department is doing it,” Tuman said.
Commissioner Secretary Tourism, Farooq Ahmad Shah, along with other officials of the department recently held interactive session with the country’s best names associated with the sector on the sidelines of SATTE the Asia’s biggest travel bazaar in New Delhi.
Shah said that the state has some of the best venues in SKICC, Clubs at Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg which have the capacity to host national, international standard conferences and events.
The team from J&K included Special Secretary Tourism, M. H. Mir, Director Tourism Kashmir Mehmood Ahmad Shah, Director SKICC Yasmeen Khan, Dy Director Tourism Peerzada Zahoor, Manager Marketing SKICC Shahnawaz Shah, officers of Tourism Department and the presidents of various Travel Trade Associations.
Director Tourism, Kashmir, Mahmood Ahmad Shah told KNS that MICE tourism is picking up in the state, and people are “very” interested in coming here for holding conferences here.
“MICE tourism is quality tourism where focus is on top businessmen and industries to hold their events and conferences here,” Shah told KNS. (KNS)