Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 15: N. N. Vohra, Governor, has stressed for more effective coordination among all the stakeholders to establish Jammu and Kashmir as the leading tourist destination in the country.
The Governor was addressing the valedictory session of the 2-day 1st Al-Khuddam Tourism Conclave at the SKICC, here last evening. The theme of the Conclave was “Delivering Excellence”.
The Governor observed that Jammu and Kashmir being the most preferred tourist destination is already well established. He said that the difficulties faced in J&K in the past years had adversely affected the economy, including tourism, adding that with the diminishing of these influences and with the return of peace and normalcy, the tourism sector had started registering speedy progress.
Referring to the scenic beauty of the State, the Governor emphasized that while creating infrastructural facilities it was vital for all the stakeholders to ensure the protection of environment. He suggested to Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Minister for Tourism, who was present on this occasion, to authorize expansion of the tourism infrastructure only after finalizing Master Plans for various tourist destinations so that the natural beauty of the scenic spots is preserved and the environmental concerns also get appropriately addressed.
Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Minister for Tourism said that involvement of people at large can go a long way in the implementation of various initiatives which are being taken for the promotion of tourism in the State. He observed that the three regions of the State provide an ideal setting for the growth of this very important sector of the State’s economy on a sustained basis. He said that such events should be organized more often and added that the suggestions emerged during the Conclave would be given due consideration.
Prof. Talat Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University suggested for developing educational tourism in the State and assured all possible support from the varsity for this purpose.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Sheikh Feroz Ahmad, Chairman, Organizing Committee of the 1st Al-Khuddam Tourism Conclave, dwelt on the aims and objects of organizing this event.
G. M. Dug, Chairman, Consultative Committee of the Conclave, presented Vote of Thanks.
Five presentations on varied themes of the Conclave were made on this occasion. These included Tourism Products, Tourism Services and Promotion, Adventure Tourism, Support Services and Requirements/Expectations and Current Tourism Scenario in the State.
Among those present on the occasion were Atal Dulloo, Commissioner/Secretary, Tourism; Shailendra Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; Farooq Ahmad Shah, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar; Talat Parvaz, Director Tourism, Kashmir; Giorgio De Roni, CEO, Go Air; Roma Wani, Hony General Secretary, Indian Red Cross Society, J&K State Branch; senior officers of the Tourism Department, delegates of the Conclave and a number of representatives of the travel trade from within and outside the State.
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