The Biz Reporter
Srinagar, Dec 19: The Jammu Kashmir Tourism and Allied Businesses Forum held a cordial and constructive meeting with the Director Tourism, Kashmir at Radisson Collection & Spa, Riverfront, where key issues related to tourism promotion and regulatory processes were discussed.
The Forum welcomed the newly appointed Director Tourism and conveyed confidence that tourism in Kashmir would further strengthen under his leadership. The delegation underlined the need to sustain the recent momentum in tourist inflows and expand Kashmir’s visibility in both domestic and international markets.
During the interaction, the Forum requested the Tourism Department to continue and enhance promotional events across different parts of India as well as in South East Asian countries, which members said had played a significant role in reviving Kashmir’s image as a preferred tourist destination.
The Forum President specifically stressed the importance of Familiarisation (FAM) tours and participation in major travel marts as a core part of the department’s promotion strategy. Responding positively, the Director Tourism approved on the spot the organisation of FAM tours for leading travel agents from across the country, acknowledging their crucial role in marketing Kashmir.
The meeting also saw detailed deliberations on the renewal of tourism registrations. The Forum flagged delays and procedural bottlenecks, calling for a smooth, transparent and time-bound renewal mechanism to improve ease of doing business and ensure uninterrupted services for tourists.
The meeting was attended by Mushtaq Ahmad Chaya, President of the Forum, Gowher Maqbool, Senior Vice President, Wahid Malik, General Secretary, Manzoor Pakhtoon, Joint General Secretary, and Tariq Ghani, President of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The Forum appreciated the Director Tourism’s positive and receptive approach and expressed hope for sustained coordination between stakeholders and the department to ensure the long-term growth of tourism and allied businesses in Jammu and Kashmir.
