JAMMU, FEBRUARY 04: 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 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 destination. 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.
Commissioner Secretary, Tourism, Yasha Mudgal, highlighted the significance of certain locations found around Katra township. She gave out that the 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.