J&K evening in Kolkata receives enthusiastic response

Nayak highlights major tourist destinations of state
KOLKATA, MARCH 5: Department of Tourism Jammu and Kashmir organized an impressive “J&K Evening” at hotel Grand Hayat on Friday in which over 200 representatives from travel and tour industry and media persons participated.
Principal Secretary Tourism J&K Mr. Sandeep Kumar Nayak, the chief guest on the occasion highlighted the major tourist destinations of the State. He informed that the tourism infrastructure in the state that was hit during the devastating 2014 floods has been restored and efforts are afoot to provide better services and ensure pleasant experience to the visiting tourists in the state
Representative of travel and tour industry from Kolkata demanded direct flights from Kolkata to Srinagar to which the Principal Secretary assured that he would take up the matter with the civil aviation ministry to facilitate such direct flights.
“Kolkata is our second home and we are receiving good number of tourists from here. We will do everything to make the guests from Kolkata feel at home.” said Mr. Sandeep Nayak and sought cooperation from travel tour fraternity to promote tourists destinations of the State.
He said concerted efforts have been taken to developed off-beat destinations like Doedpathri, Yousmarg, Aharbal, Kokarnag, Sinthan Top, Yousmarg in addition to the most sought-after places like Gulmarg, Pahalgam or Sonamarg.
Principal Secretary Tourism Govt. of West Bengal Mr. Ajit Ranjan Bardhan, Principal Secretary Finance WB Govt. Mr. H. K. Dwevedi, Principal Secretary Minorities & Disaster Management Govt. of WB Mr. Ghosh, MD WB Tourism Dev Corporation & Registrar of Cooperatives WB Govt. Mr. C. Murugan, Director Tourism Jammu Mr. R K Verma, Deputy Director Kashmir (Publicity) Mr. Peerzada Zahoor, President Eastern Region HDFC Bank Mr. Rakesh Dubey were also present during the event.
Earlier, Director Tourism Kashmir Mr. Mahmood A. Shah in his welcome address highlighted the major destinations of tourist attractions in the state. He said Kashmir is famous for its scenic beauty, gardens, heritage, art, craft besides landscape while Jammu is famous for temples and Ladakh for its monasteries, lakes and adventure tourism.
Mr Shah said that this season also the beautiful tulip garden with its alluring colourful buds will be a major attraction for the tourists in the State. He also highlighted the facilities for MICE and golf tourism.
During the event, a presentation was made to showcase the beautiful destinations of the State.
The travel trade fraternity from Kolkata also assured that they would endorse special J&K packages to the tourists.