 Agencies
NEW DELHI, Feb 20: A high-level meeting was held today in New Delhi, attended by key stakeholders in the tourism sector, including Commissioner Secretary to the Government, Tourism Department, J&K,Yasha Mudgal; President of the Hotel Association of India and Chairman, South Asia Radisson Hotels Group, K.B. Kachru; Director Tourism Jammu, Vikas Gupta; President, Hotel & Restaurant Association, Katra, and Chairman, PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry Jammu Region Chapter, Mr. Rakesh Wazir; and Under Secretary, Tourism J&K Government, Sana Khan.
Speaking at the meeting, Ms. Yasha Mudgal emphasized the crucial role of private-public partnerships in the growth of tourism in Jammu & Kashmir. She noted that private players have significantly contributed to the development of high-quality hotels, restaurants infrastructure projects such as ropeways, roads etc. in the recent past.
She further highlighted that with the upcoming launch of train services to Kashmir, J&K is poised to witness a major influx of tourists, making it imperative to enhance preparations and develop new tourist destinations.
She stressed the need for additional quality accommodations in J&K and encouraged renowned hotel chains to expand their presence in the region.
Kachru revealed that the Radisson Group already operates several hotels in J&K, including five hotels in Kashmir and three in Jammu region and will expand its presence further in J&K.
As President of the Hotel Association of India, he pledged to advocate to other Domestic & International hospitality companies to establish their presence in J&K. Many HAI members like IHCl, Lalit, IHG, Marriot, lemon tree etc are committed to the development of State tourism and expect to add substantially to the inventory in different segments in
the Union Territory.
He commented that right from very beginning J&K has remained an epi center of Tourism and there was a time when practically no film would be complete till a sequence of Kashmir was not included.
The overall situation is improving and with the operation of a direct train upto Kashmir and further improvement of the National Highway, Tourism is expected to set new benchmark's.
HAI will focus on assisting the UT govt in positioning the key locations and push for infrastructure developments in luxury, midscale and religious circuits.
Rakesh Wazir highlighted the rapid transformation of various tourist destinations around Katra, where visitor numbers have increased exponentially. He cited examples such as Shiv Khori,Nau Devian, Baba Dhansar, ,Bhaderwah and Patnitop etc.He stressed the importance of further expanding tourism by promoting locations like Devi Pindian, Mathwar, Ambaran, Showa Mata, Raghunath Temple, and Bawe Wali and proposed several initiatives to enhance tourism, including, a light and sound show on Maa Vaishno Devi's history at Katra,beautification and infrastructure development at Mansar Lake, with battery-operated cars for sightseeing,a museum showcasing Jammu's cultural heritage,integrated tour packages covering heritage, adventure, eco-tourism, and wellness tourism,a digital tourism promotion campaign and improved road signage, distribution of tourism brochures in hotels at Katra and Jammu, the promotion of Mata Ki Parikarma Yatra and the revival of the old traditional Vaishno Devi route, including Kol Kandoli-Jagti, Bamyal, Oli Mata Temple, and Deva Mai.
Vikas Gupta emphasized Jammu's vast tourism potential, spanning pilgrimage, leisure, adventure, and health tourism. He stressed the need to direct tourists' focus toward these opportunities.
Concluding the meeting, Ms. Mudgal reaffirmed that this discussion marks just the beginning and assured that follow-up meetings would be held soon to translate these ideas into concrete actions for the advancement of tourism in J&K. |
