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).