Promote fair practices to attract travelers: Dir Tourism to stakeholders

Srinagar, Dec 06: Director Tourism Kashmir Nisar Ahmad Wani Thursday urged the travel trade and hoteliers to promote fair practices in the trade as it will help attract more travellers and build a positive image of the State.

The Director said this during an introductory and interactive meeting with the representatives of the travel and hospitality sector associations here at Directorate office.

All the heads and representatives of the Valley’s major travel and hotel associations attended the meeting.

He said the department would ensure fair practice in the trade for the memorable experience of the visitors.

Director Tourism said they are establishing a dedicated grievance cell with a toll-free number for registering any complaint.

He said the complaints after verification will be redressed on a fast track basis.

While laying stress on the eco-tourism, Director Tourism Kashmir said service providers should also take care of the fragile environment of the State while earning their livelihood to save the wealth of state’s natural resources for the posterity.

The travel and hotel bodies representatives spoke at length about various issues which tourism sector is facing.  They also put forth their suggestions for the promotion of tourism in the winter season.

The director gave a patient hearing to the suggestions and the views from each representative. He assured his unflinching support to the stakeholders and desired that the department would work as a family to successfully market the State as one of the prime tourist destinations of the country.

On the occasion, the travel trade and hoteliers requested the Director Tourism to promote the State aggressively during the winter months.

They also suggested organizing road shows at various cities within and outside the country.

They also sought free movement of tourists on Srinagar-Jammu national highway as per their tour plans and raised issue of harassment meted out to the travellers at tourist places.

On the occasion, Director Tourism Kashmir urged them to submit their suggestions in writing with the department for the timely implementation of all their valuable suggestions, which would help in promoting tourism sector of the whole state.

Later, the Director Tourism Kashmir also convened meeting with the officers and the other employees of the department to take stock of infrastructure developments at various tourism destinations of the Kashmir division.

Deputy Director Kashmir Masrat Hashim, Deputy Director Publicity Riyaz Ahmad Shah, Deputy Director Recreation Mohammad Sarfaraz, Deputy Director M&W Abdul QayoomKirmani, SSP Enforcement Amarjit Singh besides assistant directors and other officers of the department attended the meeting.