Srinagar, March 22 (KNS): Secretary Tourism Department Jammu and Kashmir Sarmad Hafeez today said that LG administration is keen to involve local communities, creating sustainable tourism and addressing the needs of tourists for revival of tourism.
Speaking exclusively to Kashmir News Service (KNS) regarding the expectations and preparation for the tourism season, Secretary Tourism said, “We have joined hands with travel agents and others associated with the trade to invite more and more people to Jammu and Kashmir. We have got a good response and People want to come here and experience the Kashmiri Hospitality which is known all over world."
He added that Covid19 has impacted travel of millions of Indians who would visit different tourist destinations and it is opportunity for J&K tourism to invite and aware people about our own beautiful destinations.
“We did lot of events , festivals in Gulmarg; which is one of the best destinations in the world and obviously best in India. We did a lot of activities there whether it was winter carnival or khelo India festival. We invited people from all over India to come there."
Recently we started Badam Wari festival and now we are going to organise Tulip festival. "
"These tulips are attractive. Our tulips are more beautiful than Holland tulip gardens. We along with Travel associations did lot of road shows, invited people, launched advertising campaigns, social media promotional campaigns. We are hopeful to witness great footfall of tourists."
He also said that Night flights, introducing direct flights from different states will help in bringing more and more tourists in Jammu and Kashmir.
On being asked whether skyrocketing airfare is playing a spoilsport, he said," There are some complaints about it . We constantly talk to civil aviation ministry about it particularly when our road gets closed. I guess the problem has decreased now. I am sure more and more flights are coming and the issue will get resolved. We are taking to civil aviation ministry to resolve this issue on regular basis."
On being asked how Tourism Department will manage the flow of tourists when Covid19 cases are again increasing, he said, “Capacity Building of service providers has been done who are to be in contact with tourists. We gave them training in Covid protocol. Tourists are also requested to follow protocol and moreover testing is also done to all the people entering J&K."
Sarmad Hafeez has a message for all the people to visit J&K which offers mesmerizing beautiful places coupled with unmatched hospitality, " J&K is such a beautiful and wonderful place in our country. There is no reason our own people should not come here. People here are hospitable. Even Hoteliers, travel and tourism players welcome them. Any negative thought about the place should not be heeded. Come here. J&K has good connectivity and is affordable. Jammu and Kashmir looks different and mesmerising in every season in its own way. Pilgrimage tourism is in demand in Jammu region.
Tourism here is actually a whole package. It is connected with our handicrafts, pilgrimage sites, Handloom, cuisine which we can promote and showcase through Tourism," he told KNS
He also suggested media to show positive stories of J&K, "There there are hundreds of good stories which should be projected by media. Media should carry positive Stories, perception will change automatically." (KNS)