Mumbai, January 31: Jammu and Kashmir’s travel and tourism industry has expressed optimism that the Union Territory’s successful participation in the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) will lead to an increase in tourist footfall.
Industry leaders have also extended their gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Department of Tourism for ensuring J&K’s representation at the prestigious event.
Trade leaders believe the OTM will significantly boost tourist arrivals, enhancing Jammu and Kashmir’s reputation as a premier travel destination. They also acknowledged the efforts of Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, Commissioner Secretary Tourism Yasha Mudgal, and Director Tourism Kashmir, Raja Yaqoob, for their support in facilitating this participation.
Welcoming the Chief Minister’s commitment to strengthening tourism policies, industry representatives lauded his initiative to introduce an annual tourism event calendar. This move, they said, would improve planning and coordination, alongside the proposed establishment of a Tourism Advisory Board to provide strategic direction for the sector.
A delegation of tourism industry leaders, led by Nasir Shah, Chairman of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) – J&K Chapter, met the Chief Minister to express their appreciation. The delegation included representatives from Travel Agents Society of Kashmir (TASK), Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Alliance (JKTA), Pilgrimage and Leisure Tour Operators Forum (PILTOF), Association of Kashmir Tour Operators (AKTO), Travel Agents Association of India – J&K Chapter (TAAI JKC), IATO JKC, and the Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India – J&K Chapter (ADTOI JKC).
Tourism stakeholders emphasized the need for sustained promotional efforts and progressive tourism policies that would benefit the industry while contributing to J&K’s economic growth.
On the sidelines of the OTM, Jammu and Kashmir Tourism also hosted a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) Meet at Trident, BKC, Mumbai, to position J&K as a prime destination for corporate events. This initiative is expected to create new opportunities for business tourism, further boosting the region’s travel and hospitality sector.
