G20: Kashmir Inc to raise travel advisories issue with delegates

SRINAGAR:  Kashmir Inc is all set to take up travel advisory issue with G20 delegates when they meet them today.

Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) president Javaid Tenga told The Kashmir Monitor that they are meeting the delegates this afternoon. “If we get a chance, we will raise the issue of travel advisories. We want negative travel advisories to be lifted so that foreign footfalls increase in Kashmir,” he said.

Tenga said lifting advisories will have a positive impact on trade and industry. “Lifting advisories will not only help in reviving tourism, but it will also give a boost to allied sectors. Our handicrafts, trade, and other sectors will also get revived eventually,” said Tenga.

Several Western countries issued travel advisors to their citizens not to visit Kashmir in 1995. Since then foreign footfalls have dropped considerably which has hit the high-end tourism in Kashmir.

“Travel advisoriesares on our agenda for long. Today also it is on top of our agenda. We had also been at the venue on Monday as well where film tourism was discussed.  Everyone was saying Kashmir is an ideal location for film shootings,” said Tenga.

The third G20 Tourism Working Group meeting kicked off at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Center (SKICC) on May 22. The first Working Group meeting was held in February at Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. The second meeting was held from April 1 to 3 in Siliguri, West Bengal.

G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union. It represents 85% of the global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population.

“The majestic peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and serene green landscape of Jammu Kashmir is more than a tourism destination. It is poetry. It’s a land of realization. It is an energy field vibrating with ageless Indian cultural values,” said Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

“The world can see that entire society, especially the young generation is scripting a bright future for themselves and the nation. The speed and scale of rapid development in Jammu Kashmir are awe-inspiring.”