JK Tourism Minister releases JKTDC Calender-2014
Jammu, January 30, (Scoop News)-Expressing confidence that ensuing summer would be more booming in tourist related activities in the State, Tourism Minister, Ghulam Ahmad Mir Thursday asked all stakeholders to be prepare for booming next tourist season-2014.
“The concerned government agencies and private tourism players have joint responsible in making the stay of tourists comfortable in the State by way of providing them up to the mark accommodation and befitting services”, he said asking them to rise to the occasion to face the challenge and make the season more than successful.
Speaking at an interactive session with the representatives of Tour and travel Operators, Hotel associations and members of Trade and Commerce, after releasing the Calendar of Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) here today, the Minister said that government would provide every possible assistance to the private sector in upgrading infrastructure and making tourist service excellent.
The Minister said that showcasing State’s tourist potential in foreign countries like Germany, which has now lifted negative advisories against Jammu and Kashmir has become more important in the changed scenario to sell the State as choicest tourist destination for conventional, adventure, sports and heritage tourism. He said government would facilitate participation of private partners in such campaigns to be organized by the Tourism Department outside the country.
Commissioner Secretary, Tourism, Zaffar Ahmad, Director Tourism, Jammu, Soujanya Sharma, Managing Director, JKTDC, Shamim Ahmad, President of Commerce Y.V. Sharma, Secretary Chamber of Commerce Jammu, Ex-Chairman Jammu Chapter IATO Capt. Anil Gover, besides representatives of Tourism Trade Associations attended the interaction session.
The main objective of holding the interactive session with the representatives was to make them aware about the infrastructure Development and the Premiere Banding of the Hotels which have come under the Brand name of Kongposh meant for the upper segment class of the Tourist. It is pertinent to mention here that two Conference Halls with the capacity of 60 persons and 30 persons has been made operational at Hotel Jammu Residency and Hotel Alpine Patnitop.
Minister Tourism emphasized for close Co-Ordination between JKTDC and the Travel & Tour Operators and Chamber of Commerce by providing special Tariffs to these organizations in order to promote Tourism Sector domestically and internationally.
Minister said that State Government is working on a comprehensive tourist development road map to rejuvenate tourist activities in the conventional areas and showcase new areas for national and international tourism. He also cited the incentives being given to the private players in tourism sector and said that government is eager to give impetus to it to attain new highs.
The Minister said that strenuous efforts are being made to promote the tourism potential of Jammu. He said besides upgradation of tourist related infrastructure, heritage and adventure tourism is be being also explored fully. He said the government endeavours to ensure the stay of Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims for more days in city of temples and in this regard the necessary infrastructure is being upgraded at Patnitop, Sarnsar, Mansar, Bhaderwah, besides Bani, Basooli and Rajouri and Poonch by incurring a whooping amount. He said the work on Mabarak Mandi cable car project would be taken up very soon as all decks in this regard has been cleared.
Referring to the initiatives taken by JKTDC for upgradation of its assets besides captivating more tourists to visit the State, Mir said hotel accommodation at Yousmarg has been completed. He said the work on budgeted accommodation at Gulmarg and Sonamarg is at final stage of completion adding that work on business center at Patnitop, tourist huts at Sanasar is nearing completion. He said government would also undertake upgradation of tourist huts at Patnitop and Pahalgam soon at an estimated cost of Rs 1.50 crore.
Mir said, in order to further strengthen the JKTDC infrastructure, the government has mooted draft project reports (DPRs) worth Rs 12 crore to the Centre for funding to construct hotels and other required infrastructure at Katra, Qazigund and Dalwatch.
On the occasion, Commissioner Secretary, Tourism, Zafar Ahmad said that development of tourism especially heritage, adventure, pilgrim, eco-tourism and conventional tourism are being focused to restore the State’s tourism glory and generate wide-ranging economic avenues for the people.
The Commissioner Secretary also presented resume of the other developmental activities underway in the State for the promotion and upgradation of tourism.
Managing Director, JKTDC, Shamim Ahmad on the occasion gave detailed resume of the activities of the Corporation. He said the Corporation management is making earnest efforts to make it more commercial and vibrant institution.
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