JK TRAVEK MART 2015
The 3-day Travel Mart, held at SKICC ( Sher-e-kashmir international
convention centre), Srinagar, from 16th to 18th May, was a successful
venture in which over 180 domestic and 20 international buyers
participated. This was the first ever travel event of this magnitude
since 1988 and provided opportunities to the local tourism sector to
grow.
The three days saw a series of press conferences, B2B
exchanges, and dialogues that will have a long and lasting impact on
Tourism in the state.
Honourable Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad
Syeed said, ”I believe there should be no off season in Kashmir," while
urging to make Kashmir an all-season tourist destination.
Emphasising
upon adventure tourism, the Chief Minister highlighted the need for
packaging Golf and Corporate tourism for high-spending tourists.
He,
however, asked the tourism department to increase its intake capacity
to reach out to a larger number of visitors from across the world.
The
minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar said that Kashmir tourism would
get boost by events like these, “In future, we will fix a particular
date for organising this event so that international buyers can plan
their trip accordingly,” he said.
“We need these kinds of events
in Kashmir in which buyers across the world visit and do business with
locals here. It will not only help tourism but also give business to
local players,” he said.
He further added, “Srinagar is the
goldmine of unexplored heritage tourism where age old shrines of Sufi
saints are existing in their original form. But unfortunately, so far it
has not been fully tapped and brought onto the tourism map.”
Commissioner
Secretary, Tourism Shailendra Kumar on the occasion said the government
is making all out efforts to boost tourism industry in the state. He
said the government is contemplating preparing comprehensive plan for
developing spots having tourist potential.
Director Tourism Kashmir
Farooq Ahmed Shah said, “Kashmir is the crown of India and not just a
great Skiing, Golfing and Adventure destination but also the perfect
Mice Destination,” (for a detailed interview click here).