Kashmir tourism leaders join hands to promote industry afresh

The Kashmir-based tourism trade bodies today vowed to work hard for revival of local tourism industry that has suffered immense losses in the recent floods.
To chalk out strategy for the revival of tourism, the leaders of various tourism trade bodies at a meeting today decided to hold road shows, travel trade marts and press meets at various destinations across India to spread the message that destination Kashmir post-floods is as normal as it was pre-floods.
The leaders said they would work hard to spread the message that except some portion of Srinagar city, none of the tourist areas was hit by the recent floods.
The stakeholders said that even the tourist areas of Srinagar such as Dal and Nigeen lakes and Mughal gardens were not directly affected by the floods. “No historical or heritage monument in Srinagar was affected by the flood,” they said.
The meeting resolved that department of Tourism “will be impressed to lead the promotional and marketing campaign vigorously with immediate effect and that the stakeholders will give all support to the department in holding various road shows and press meets across India.”
Mushtaq Chaya, chairman J&K Hoteliers’ Club chaired the meeting. Heads of tourism organizations who participated were Showkat Pakhtoon of TASK, Peerzada Fayaz of TAAK, Javed Burza of Pahalgam Hotels Association, Manzoor Pakhtoon of JKTA, Jan Muhammad of UTAA, Nazir A. Mir of AKTO, G R Siah of PILTOF, Rauf A Tramboo of ATOAK, Nazir A Gosani of TTIG, Haji A Hameed Wangnoo of DTOAK and Shamim A Shah of TAAI – J&K Chapter.
All the participants were of the view that promotional activities should be launched forthwith.
The meeting suggested that in the first of a series of meetings, the heads of the organizations will meet the Chief Secretary and the Commissioner-Secretary Tourism to seek assistance and support from the governmental for these initiatives.
The DDC Srinagar Farooq A Shah later joined the meeting as the Guest of Honour.
He apprised the meeting that all the stakeholders should join to reclaim the business lost post-floods.
He suggested to launch a massive promotion campaign under the title “Kashmir – Inspiring destination”  or “Kashmir  Calling” or “Kashmir – The Paradise of Memories” or “Kashmir – Even better this year”.
Among others the meeting was attended by prominent hoteliers Mushtaq Burza, Riyaz Shahdad, Afzal Parray, Lateef Bhat, Altaf Ahmad, Habib Ullah, Tariq Rashid, and Coordinator, Nasir Shah besides CCIK President, Zahoor A. Tramboo.
A Promotion Committee was also formed to chalk out the future program of the Travel & Hospitality Fraternity.
The Meeting was organized by J&K Hoteliers Club.