JAMMU & KASHMIR, 20 June 2020: Mr Baseer Ahmed Khan, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Jammu and Kashmir today said, "The Tourism Department has been asked to make plans and programmes for the development and promotion of untapped destinations in Jammu & Kashmir in a big way so that more and more tourists are attracted to visit such places."

Addressing a webinar 'Rebooting and Revival of Tourism in J&K through Public and Private Partnership' Mr Khan said, "The economy of Jammu & Kashmir is highly dependent on tourism." He urged experts from the tourism industry to provide ideas and inputs for further consideration.

Mr Zubair Ahmed, Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Government of Jammu and Kashmir said, "Kashmir is a unique destination and holds a lot of potential in terms of tourism and adventure, therefore, as the situation becomes stable, more and more tourists would embrace this destination." 

Speaking on the contribution of tourism in the economy of Jammu and Kashmir, he said, "Tourism is our focus area and we are aiming at adventure tourism, which would provide the industry the much needed boost.' He added, "Gulmarg, the famous tourist destination in Kashmir, is not only the backbone of tourism industry but also has the potential to become the Davos of India."

Dr Jyotsna Suri, Past President, FICCI; Chairperson, FICCI Tourism Committee and CMD - The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group said, "Tourism has been the worst impacted industry and will take maximum time to revive, however, it is domestic tourism, which will revive the tourism industry in India."

Mr KB Kachru, Executive Vice President South Asia, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group said, "A proper government fund must be there to help the tourism industry which can be done with a few policy changes. These will benefit not only the tourism industry but will also bring in more investors to this sector."

The webinar was moderated by Mr Ashish Kumar, Co-Chair, FICCI Travel Technology Committee & Managing Partner, Agnitio Consulting.

The webinar also had a panel discussion which included Mr Pronab Sarkar, President, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO); Mr Amaresh Tiwari, Vice Chairman, India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB) and Managing Director, A.T. Seasons and Vacations Travel Pvt. Ltd.; Mr PP Khanna, President, Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI); Capt. Swadesh Kumar, President, Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI); Mr Rajan Sehgal, President, India Golf Tourism Association (IGTA); Mr Siddhartha Dasgupta, President, Corporate Affairs, OYO Rooms; Mr Satyajeet Krishnan, Area Director North, Taj Hotels; Ms Vineeta Dixit, Head - Public Policy India, Air BnB; Mr Shamim Ahmed Shah, Secretary General, Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Alliance; Mr Malik Abdul Wahid, President, Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Owners Association; Mr Hamid Wangnoo, Chairman, Kashmir Houseboat Owners Association; Mr Mushtaq Chaya, Chairman, Hotelier Club; Mr Vikram, Hotel and Bar Association, Jammu; Mr Nasir Shah, Chairman, Pilgrim and Leisure Tour Operators; Mr Rajesh Gupta, Chairman, Tour and Trade Association, Jammu; and Mr Peerzada Faiyaz Ahmed, MD and CEO, Tulip Hospitality Services and J&K Coordinator, Eco Tourism Society of India.