Srinagar, October 7: Secretary Tourism Rigzin Samphel, Secretary Youth Services and Sports Sarmad Hafeez, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah Saturday evening gave away awards to the stalwarts of the tourism industry for their contribution to the success of the historic 64th Convention and Exhibition of Travel Agents Association of India held at Srinagar from 27 March to 29 March this year.
With an aim to showcase and promote Jammu and Kashmir’s potential as a major tourist destination, TAAI in association with the Ministry of Tourism and Jammu and Kashmir government organised it’s 64th annual convention and exhibition at Srinagar which was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
The convention witnessed a congregation of local travel and trade associations as well as hospitality delegates from all over India and abroad.
TAAI – JK Chapter, which organized the award ceremony gave away over 40 mementos to the contributors here at ITC hotel ITC Fortune, Srinagar.
Speaking on the occasion Chief Guest Rigzin Samphel said travel industry is doing commendable job to attract tourists here by organizing such exhibitions in the state and also by their participation in the he road shows and travel marts within and outside the country.
He said though tourist footfall was low but the travel industry is optimistic about its revival for which both the department and the private players have to work together for the promotion of the sector.
He said negative perception about Kashmir was denting the tourist flow and to counter that the department is organizing Kashmir Autumn Festival from October 25 to October 27 at Srinagar, Pahalgam and Gulmarg.
“We will be inviting the leading tourism destination sellers from across the country on a FAM tour here during the festival so that they get first-hand experience of how beautiful the Valley is and how freely the tourists are enjoying holidays and local hospitality. This will help us counter negative perception to a greater extent,” he said.
He also informed the well attended gathering of tourism trade players that the department is identifying new destinations having tourism potential to divert the travellers across the length and the breadth of the state.
Speaking on the occasion, Sarmad Hafeez said TAAI convention was held in the State after a gap of 32 years, which is a big achievement, and has helped attract tourists to the state.
Sarmad who was secretary tourism during the TAAI Convention had worked very hard in convincing the TAAI office bearers at national level that J&K will host this year’s convention.
He complemented the travel and hospitality sector for successful conduct of convention saying its success is the demonstration of the will of the private players to promote tourism industry.
He said the better experience of over 600 delegates who participated in the Convention would go a long way in promoting the tourism industry of the State.
Earlier, TAAI JK Chapter Zahoor Qari in his welcome address said delegates have been all praise of the state’s beauty and hospitality, which has convinced that the J&K state was safe for travellers.
