Welcomes tour, travel operators decision to come under one roof.
SRINAGAR: Minister of State for Home and Tourism, Mr. Nasir Aslam Wani has welcomed the decision of
the Valley-based tour and travel operators to come under one roof for promotion of tourism in the State.
The Minister was chairing a high-level meeting called here at SKICC today to discuss issues related to the upcoming tourist season in the State.
IG, Kashmir, Mr. S. M. Sahai, DC, Srinagar, Mr. Baseer Khan, DIG, Traffic, Kashmir, Vice Chairman, LAWDA, Mr. Irfan Yasin, Director Tourism, Kashmir, Mr. Farooq Shah, Commissioner SMC, Mr. G. N. Qasba, Chief Engineers of PHE, PDD and R&B, SSPs Srinagar, SBK, Security, Traffic and Airport, CEOs of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg Development Authorities and various private stakeholders including KCCI, TAAI, TAASK and Houseboat Owners Association attended the meeting.
Welcoming the decision of tourism players to form a joint coordination committee, the Minister said the Government will wholeheartedly support this initiative for promotion of tourism in the State. “We had a successful tourist season last year and will pool in efforts and put in place a joint mechanism to ensure better results this year,†the Minister said.
Mr. Nasir Aslam said we have to showcase ourselves as a destination looking to attract both high-end overseas travelers and domestic visitors, while consistently projecting a first-class image of the State. He said a Quick Response Mechanism will be put in place this year so that tourists are facilitated once they land in the State. “Hassle-free arrivals of tourists at Jammu and Srinagar Airports and entry points at Lakhanpur and Lower Munda will be ensured so that tourists are not made to wait for long hours. We want to create an atmosphere where tourists should feel they are wanted in the State,†the Minister said. He added that for facilitating tourists at the airport, free porters will be engaged for shifting of luggage and two more buses will be operationalized for luggage transit from the first drop airport gate to the terminal.
The Minister said that Tourism Department will coordinate with airline carriers to shorten stay of foreign visitors after arrival at the airport. “The Tourism Department will provide forms through airlines so that overseas travelers spend lesser time at the airport,†Mr. Nasir said.
The Tourism Department has decided to hold festivals every month in the State and introduce light and sound shows at Shalimar Garden and Hari Parbat and rock climbing at Nowgam TRC for entertainment of tourists.
Stressing the need for better regulation of traffic into the State and on tourist destination routes, the Minister underlined the need for creation of basic infrastructure at various health resorts in the State. “Better roads, regular water and power supply are prerequisites for attracting domestic and overseas tourists,†the Minister said, while calling upon Chief Engineers of R&B, PHE and PDD to complete their targets ahead of the upcoming tourist season.
Replying to the demands of houseboat owners association for permission to effect minor repairs to their houseboats, the Minister asked them to represent before VC LAWDA, who will place their request before the Empowered Committee of the High Court. “Houseboats are our heritage. But for conservation of Dal lake, we need to realign these so that these are connected to a common STP,†the Minister said while seeking cooperation from the houseboat owners association in ensuring realignment of houseboats. He also asked VC LAWDA to immediately repair the jetties around the lake.
In order to present a better and cleaner city to the people, the Minister asked the Commissioner, SMC, to take effective steps in achieving these goals. The Commissioner informed the Minister that huge garbage bins and mobile vacuum cleaners will be installed and put into operation for round-the-clock cleaning of the city. He disclosed that from next month, SMC will start dog sterilization and take stringent action on use of polythene bags. The Commissioner sought cooperation from hoteliers in regular lifting of garbage during late night hours.
The Minister exhorted the private players to identify people indulging in fleecing and cheating of tourists. “By doing this, a bad name is given to the entire tourism fraternity of the State,†the Minister said. (KMW NEWS)
