Calls for more initiatives to promote state’s tourism
Minister of State for Education, Technical Education, Culture, Tourism, Horticulture, Floriculture and Parks, Priya Sethi inaugurated Jammu’s Biggest Travel & Tourism Exhibition -ITM Jammu India Travel Mart, at Hotel Ramada. The three day exhibition is supported by Jammu & Kashmir Tourism.
Taking ahead the vision of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed of promoting J&K tourism , the Minister said that the purpose of ITM Jammu is to promote tourism by undertaking promotional and publicity activities, facilitate the exchange of market information, encourage partnerships between the public and private sectors and facilitate the easing of barriers to travel.
She said that the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was very keen to encourage such initiatives of bringing best of “Travel & Tourism Brands” together in this golden platform for a cross cultural exchange which shall create a new chapter in Tourism sector.
Priya said that state of Jammu and Kashmir has a vast potential to be a prime tourist destination as it show cases the perfect bouquet of diverse tradition and culture. “Everytime, tourists came to the state,they witness a new attraction here,” she asserted.
The scenic beauty of the state is no less from others and the concentrated efforts of the tourism department has also given a boost to the pilgrimage and adventurous tourism, the Minister said.
Citing various steps undertook by the government, she said that in times to come many new initiatives such as heritage walk, developing of border tourism, ropeway projects, golf courses, light and sound show at Dal lake will see the light to attract tourists in the state.
Priya said that with such exhibitions, J&K tourism department is reaching out to the tourists with destination information, travel, tour and hotel packages, family vacations, groups and business trip and Weekend Getaways.
She further said that with various new tourism projects being initiated in Jammu, efforts were being made to develop Jammu as an independent tourism destination.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chairman, JKTDC Rafi Mir said that the State possesses immense potential for growth in tourism sector and best efforts are being made to give new dimensions to tourism industry in the state. From adventure to Pilgrimage tourism, exhibitions like ITM Jammu caters to the needs of everyone in terms of a desirable tourist destination, he added.
Priya also applauded the artists for showcasing diverse culture of the state through their performances.
Secretary Tourism Sarmad Hafeez, Director Tourism Kashmir, Mahmood Ahmad Shah, Director Tourism Jammu Smita Sethi, Chairman ITM, Ajay Gupta besides senior functionaries of concerned departments were present on the occasion.
In a-3 day long exhibition, Jammu & Kashmir Tourism, Gujarat Tourism,
Jharkhand Tourism, Rajasthan Tourism, Chandigarh Industrial & TourismDevelopment Corporation Limited, Hotel Ramada- Jammu, Hotel Kaisar-Kashmir, Oyo Rooms, Country Inn Group of Hotels & Resorts, East Bourne Resorts, Suryavillas Luxury Resort & Spa, Travel Mail and other participants will showcase their products. Members of National Travel Associations like ADT01, IATO, TAAI, OTOAI, JKTDC and other travel trade associations from Jammu & Kashmir are supporting this mega event.
