Srinagar, September 11:(KNS) Jammu and Kashmir Hoteliers Club Saturday met MoS Tourism GoI Ajay Kumar Bhutt here at Royal Springs Golf Course and apprised him about the current tourism situation in Kashmir Valley.
Chairman JKHC Mushtaq A Chaya hailed the Government of India initiatives for promoting JK's tourism.
Secretary Tourism JK Mr. Sarmad Hafeez and Director Tourism Kashmir Dr GN Itoo besides other travel trade representatives were also present on the occasion.
Chaya informed the MoS Tourism about promotional activities hoteliers from the J&K have been doing since ages.
He also apprised him about the difficulties the Hoteliers are facing and sought his immediate intervention for the solutions.
The Hoteliers Club Chairman urged Kumar that the authorities may be impressed upon to extend and renew the land lease agreement of the hoteliers at Gulmarg.
Chaya also sought GST reimbursement, power tariff amnesty to hoteliers since Aug 2019.
Chaya said Kashmir Tourims has been badly affected since August 2019 and also by Covid 19 pendamic.
He sought immediate releif to the hoteliers in the form exemption of power tariff applicable since 2019.
Chaya said Hotels at prime locations are also in a bad state for the want of renovation.
"Permission should be given to hoteliers for repairs and renovation of hotels at prime tourist spots."
The hoteliers club also drew his attention to National Highway connecting Kashmir to Jammu and Ladkah and urged the MoS that Srinagar - Sonmarg road should me made operational during the winter months also.
On the occasion, Secretary General Tariq Rashid Ghani urged MoS Tourism that Government of India should start promoting Kashmir vigorously under Incredible India campaign ahead Durga Pooja Holidays.
Ghani also sought cap on airfare on Srinagar route during peak tourism season or during closure of Srinagar Jammu highway in snowfall.
He said high airfare makes Kashmir an expensive destination which hampers tourism promotion.
At the end, Chaya thanked Secretary Tourism Mr. Sarmad Hafeez for facilitating meet with MoS State for tourism.(KNS)