JAMMU: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a meeting of all the stakeholders including tourism players from Jammu to seek their suggestions for optimal utilisation of the tourism potential of this region especially in the wake of nearly one crore pilgrims visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine (SMVDS) in Katra.
Those who attended the meeting included Principal Secretary, Finance; Commissioner Secretary, Tourism; Secretary, PWD; CEO, SMVDSB; DC, Jammu; DC, Reasi; MD, JKTDC; Director Tourism, Jammu and other officers of the Department.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary sought suggestions from the representatives of hoteliers, transporters and other tourism players about the ways and means to attract these pilgrims coming to this shrine to other religious or tourism destinations spread across the region.
Dulloo said that the tourism players too had a role to play in promoting places in and around Jammu. He suggested them to come up with concrete suggestions and plans for each of the destinations. He advised them to frame two, three or four-day packages based upon the potential and intensity of each place.
He further asked them to look into a mix of activities in each package inclusive of spiritual, eco-tourism, leisure, cuisine, culture and adventurous aspects. He enjoined upon them to offer several baskets along with Shri Vaishno Devi Yatra so that people are able to choose as per their choice and inclination.
The Chief Secretary also urged them to look for the creation of a lot of promotional content as we have different success stories to guide us. He maintained that the continuous uploading of content over social media besides other promotional campaigns is definitely going to bear fruits over time.
He committed that the government would extend all kinds of support to realise the objectives. He added that a plan for each season should be ready for joint promotion of the same with active support of the Tourism Department.
Dulloo also underscored the need for having better infrastructure and amenities at all these sites. He told them that the government would be forthcoming to invest more funds in any of the projects required at these sites. He assured them of better infrastructure, transport and other amenities at all these sites.
Commissioner Secretary of Tourism, Yasha Mudgal, highlighted the significance of certain locations found around Katra township. She gave out that places like Shiv Khori, Baradari, Chenab Rail Bridge, Jammu City, Patnitop, Mantalai, Sanasar and Sudhmahadev are some of the potential sites found in the radius of 100 km and can be offered to the pilgrims on visit to the cave shrine.
She maintained that the Department is organizing several festivals and FAM tours across the tourism destinations of J&K to promote them in national and international markets. She also threw light on the campaigns the department has carried out so far along with the increase in footfall to each of the above locations.
The meeting was also apprised of the tourism infrastructure created at these sites besides the plans for its further augmentation. It was added that with the support and suggestions of local players, the department is committed to bringing all these sites to the tourism map of India.
