SRINAGAR: To improve footfall of tourists this summer, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, has sought cooperation from all tourism and business stakeholders in reviving the State’s economy which primarily depends on its lucrative tourism industry.
The Chief Minister was interacting with a number of tourism and business delegations in Sunday.
Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Navin K. Chaudhary and Secretary Tourism, Floriculture, Gardens and Parks, Farooq A. Shah were also present on the occasion.
While interacting with various delegations, the Chief Minister said tourism spreads best by the word of mouth and the players associated with the industry have a lot at stake in establishing a feel-good factor among the tourists.
“It is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to see that no visitor is harassed,” she observed.
Seeking support in maintaining peace at all costs, the Chief Minister said State’s tourism and business fraternity has to suffer the brunt when atmosphere of peace is disturbed in the Valley.
During her meetings with delegations of J and K Tourism Alliance and Travel Agents’ Association of Kashmir (TASK), Mehbooba Mufti said the government over the last one year has made strenuous efforts in projecting Kashmir as a world-class tourist destination. She added that there are still many areas which need to be tapped to open new avenues to enhance tourist experience.
“We have to reach out to the tourists with open arms so that they experience the rich hospitality for which we are famous all over the world,” she said, while urging hoteliers, houseboat owners, Shikarawallas, Ponywallas, tour and travel operators to facilitate visitors so that they go back with fond memories of the place.
The Chief Minister, who also holds the charge of the Tourism portfolio, said the department is developing a mobile application which will enable the visitors to make online bookings and reservations in hassle-free manner. She also asked the Tourism Secretary to operate pre-paid taxis from strategic locations like the airports and railway stations to facilitate the tourists. “Road shows will be organized in countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia from where valley receives a fairly large number of tourists,” she added.
Asking the Tourism Secretary to promote paying guest scheme among people residing in downtown areas, Mehbooba Mufti said the government is also actively pursuing withdrawal of advisories imposed by some countries on visiting the state.
Both the delegations appreciated the efforts made by the Chief Minister in reviving the tourism industry which include operation of early morning and night flights from Srinagar Airport and extending LTC to centra