Seminar on green tourism, cleanliness drives mark the occasion
MASROOR AHMAD
SRINAGAR: World Tourism Day has been held on September 27 each year since 1980 to promote tourism all over the globe. The date marks anniversary of the adoption of the Statutes of the Organisation in 1970. Paving the way for the establishment of UNWTO five years later.
The Directorate of Tourism Kashmir celebrated the World Tourism Day here today with a lot of activities marking the occasion. In this connection a seminar on Green Initiatives in Tourism was organized at Tourist Reception Centre Srinagar in which participant stakeholders threw light on the subject and underscored the need for maintaining the ecology and environment while boosting tourism. The speakers stressed on adopting innovations and methods by which the carbon footprints are reduced and tourists are provided varied experiences through eco-friendly initiatives.
Addressing the seminar, Director Tourism Kashmir, Raja Yaqoob appealed the stakeholders to promote the green initiatives in tourism so that while promoting the sector the ecology and environment of the place is also maintained and enhanced. Prominent tourism stakeholders were felicitated on the occasion.
The Directorate of Tourism also conducted cleanliness drives in Srinagar at Dargah Hazratbal and Shankracharya temple in which besides Director Tourism Kashmir officers, officials and stakeholders participated.
Similar cleanliness drives were also conducted at Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Yousmarg, Manasbal, Ahrabal, Sonamarg, Achabal, Kokernag, Verinag, Baramulla, Kupwara and other tourist destinations across the Valley. A similar cleanliness drive was conducted at Kongdoori by the J&K Cable Car Corporation. Cleanliness drives were conducted by the Department at all these destinations in which the Resort Officers and stakeholders took pledge to keep the destination clean and green.
Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) today celebrated World Tourism Day in which all the officials of SKICC participated. On the occasion, Director SKICC, recited the oath for making SKICC the sought after green clean Conference centre of the country, which reflects the theme of World Tourism Day 2023 ‘Tourism and Green Investments’.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Director said that while celebrating World Tourism Day, we are reminded of the immense potential that tourism holds in fostering economic growth, cultural exchange, and social inclusivity.
With its state-of-the-art facilities and commitment to excellence, SKICC has become a premier destination for conferences, conventions, and cultural events. He highlighted that SKICC continues to play a pivotal role in promoting tourism, economic development, and cultural exchange across Jammu and Kashmir. On the occasion, the SKICC officials also participated in cleaning drive.
