Interactive session held with stakeholders on promotion of Jammu Tourism

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: The Directorate of Tourism Jammu on Tuesday organized an interactive session on the promotion of Jammu tourism with stakeholders, along with a felicitation ceremony for participants of Heritage Walk held on 15th April 2023 during ‘Basoa Baisakhi Mahotsav 2023’.
More than 60 participants of Heritage Walk, along with key stakeholders including students, College Professors, Travel Agents, Tour Operators and hoteliers were felicitated at the event. The aim of the event was to fortify the tourism industry and explore innovative strategies to showcase the true beauty and charm of Jammu.
During the interactive session held in the Conference Hall of Tourist Reception Centre Jammu, detailed discussions were held regarding showcasing Jammu’s untamed beauty, celebrating its vibrant culture, unveiling historical treasures, and exploring eco-friendly approaches to ensure the preservation and conservation of Jammu’s pristine environment through sustainable tourism practices.
Director Tourism, Jammu, Vivekanand Rai, highlighted the importance of building a strong network of passionate individuals and organizations committed to making Jammu a prominent destination. He emphasized the need to create an unforgettable experience for travelers while empowering local communities and preserving the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
The stakeholders enthusiastically discussed the pivotal role of robust road connectivity in unlocking the potential of tourist destinations and stressed the need for improved infrastructure to amplify tourism opportunities. Health tourism emerged as a key focal point during the discussions, reflecting the growing trend of travelers seeking wellness-oriented experiences. The potential of home stays was also highlighted, as promotion of local home stays could provide travelers with an enriching glimpse into the community’s way of life, traditions, and cuisine, encouraging eco-friendly practices for responsible tourism.
Facilitating familiarization (FAM) tours emerged as a crucial approach to foster greater collaboration among stakeholders in the tourism sector. Joint Director Tourism, Jammu, Sunaina Sharma Mehta, reaffirmed a shared commitment to work collectively towards a sustainable, diverse, and inclusive tourism industry. She shared innovative ideas for transformative changes that will propel the tourism sector to new heights. She emphasized that such interactive sessions are important milestones in ongoing efforts to shape the future of tourism, aligning with the broader vision of fostering economic growth, cultural exchange, and environmental preservation. She also stressed on effective implementation of the homestays policy for the larger interest of youth under Mission Youth.
Overall, the event was highly productive, bringing together key stakeholders, tourism industry experts, local authorities, and enthusiasts to foster a collaborative effort in showcasing the true beauty and charm of Jammu. The felicitation ceremony for participants of Heritage Walk and Hotel Jammu Residency added to the celebratory atmosphere of the event, recognizing the contributions of individuals and organizations in promoting Jammu as a prominent tourist destination.
In addition, travel trade members from the Travel Agents Association of Jammu and the Association of Jammu Travel Agents also attended the event and received certificates. The members who attended from the Travel Agents Association of Jammu were Capt Anil Gaur, Rajinder Kumar Sharma, Narinder Gupta, Ajit Singh, and Sanjay Gupta. The members who attended from the Association of Jammu Travel Agents were Amrik Singh, Shalinder Singh Chib, B B Kotwal, and Ravinder Mahajan.
Among the others who remained present during the event were Deputy Director Tourism, Dr. Umesh Shan; Deputy Director Publicity; Abdul Jabbar; Assistant Director Tourism Jammu, Sughandi Banotra, Assistant Director Batote Mohammad Arif Lone and Assistant Director Katra, Ambika Bali and other officials of the Directorate of Tourism Jammu.