Srinagar, Sep 27 (KNS): Prime Business Voice on Sunday announced the winners of the Kashmir Tourism Excellence Awards 2026 at a gala ceremony held in Srinagar on the occasion of World Tourism Day, recognising individuals and institutions for their contributions to Kashmir’s tourism, hospitality, trade and travel ecosystem.

The event was attended by prominent representatives from tourism and hospitality, public administration, business, law, media, arts and crafts, architecture and allied sectors.

Among the key awardees were Javed Ahmad Tenga, President, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), who received the Lifetime Achievement Award; Imtiyaz Hussain (IPS), DIG SDRF, for Exemplary Public Service and Police Leadership; Aijaz Ahmad Bhat (IPS), SSP Traffic, for Exemplary Traffic Policing and Management; Sajad Ahmad Beigh of Hotel Sarovar for Excellence in Hospitality and Guest Experience; Najeeb Ahmad for Visionary Leadership in Handicrafts, Arts and Crafts; Dr Mantasha Binti Rasheed (JKAS) for Exemplary Women Leadership in Public Service; and Imtiyaz Ahmad Chillo for Excellence in Heritage Architecture and Sustainable Design.

Other awardees included Sajad Ahmad Makaya, Gowhar Maqbool Mir, Manzoor Ahmad Pakhtoon, Advocate Sajad Mir, Mehboob Qadri, Faisal Manzoor, Hayat Ahmad, Saklain’s Coterie, Irfan Amin Khan and Sultan Shiekh.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThey were recognised for their respective contributions to hospitality, heritage, tourism, law, cuisine, entrepreneurship, media, wellness, digital design and the promotion of Kashmir’s arts and crafts.

Speaking on the occasion, Rouf Majid, Editor-in-Chief of Prime Business Voice and organiser of the event, said the awards were conceived to recognise the diverse stakeholders contributing to Kashmir’s tourism economy.

He said tourism was an interconnected ecosystem encompassing hospitality, safety, environmental sustainability, legal clarity, heritage conservation and cultural promotion.

The ceremony concluded with a call for stronger collaboration among the government, industry and other stakeholders, with emphasis on responsible tourism, heritage conservation, environmental sustainability, public-private partnerships and inclusive economic growth.

The Kashmir Tourism Excellence Awards 2026 highlighted the role of individuals and institutions working across sectors to strengthen Kashmir’s tourism, hospitality, culture and business ecosystem.(KNS)