KCCI for reconstitution of Tourism Advisory Board

Excelsior CorrespondentSrinagar, Nov 15: Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) today said the recently formed Tourism Advisory Board consists of "no expert" members and announced that it would take up the matter with Chief� Minister� for its reconstitution."The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry in a meeting of tourism stake-holders pondered over the Government decision on formation of Tourism Advisory Board consisting of members most of whom are non experts drawn from different backgrounds instead of experts with proven record of performance in the field," the Chamber said in a statement here.KCCI said the Board should have been created after consultation with local experts and tourism stake-holders which according to the Chamber has not been done. "The participants were unanimous in deciding to bring to the notice of the Government their strong reservations regarding the constitution of the Advisory Board.It was also expressed that the purpose of formation of the Board in not amply� clear� also to what extent it is going to increase the growth� of the tourism� to State when dearth of tourism infrastructure� is not a priority� area of concern for promotion of tourism to State.The KCCI said that some of the members taken on the Advisory Board have the conflict of interest and are not therefore expected to deliver judiciously keeping in view the broader interest of Kashmir as a whole.It has been unanimously� decided� by all the stakeholders that� the Chamber take up the issue immediately with the Chief Minister in an appropriate manner for reconstituting the Advisory Board in consultation with the real tourism stake-holders of the State.