Jammu, Feb 21: Commissioner Secretary, J&K Tourism Department, Yasha Mudgal emphasised the crucial role of private-public partnerships in the growth of tourism in Jammu & Kashmir.
She noted that private players significantly contributed to the development of high-quality hotels, restaurants and infrastructure projects such as ropeways, roads etc., in the recent past.
She stated this during a high-level meeting held in New Delhi, attended by key stakeholders in the tourism sector, including president of the Hotel Association of India and chairman, South Asia Radisson Hotels Group, K B Kachru; Director Tourism Jammu, Vikas Gupta; president, Hotel & Restaurant Association, Katra, and chairman, PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry Jammu region chapter, Rakesh Wazir and Under Secretary, Tourism J&K Government, Sana Khan.
Mudgal further highlighted that with the upcoming launch of train services to Kashmir, J&K was poised to witness a major influx of tourists, making it imperative to enhance preparations and develop new tourist destinations.
She stressed the need for additional quality accommodations in J&K and encouraged renowned hotel chains to expand their presence in the region.
Kachru revealed that the Radisson Group already operates several hotels in J&K, including five hotels in Kashmir and three in Jammu region and will expand its presence further in J&K.
As President of the Hotel Association of India, he pledged to advocate to other domestic and international hospitality companies to establish their presence in J&K.
Many HAI members like IHCl, Lalit, IHG, Marriot, Lemon Tree etc are committed to the development of state tourism and expect to add substantially to the inventory in different segments in the Union Territory, it was stated.
He commented that right from very beginning J&K remained an epicentre of tourism and there was a time when practically no film would be complete till a sequence of Kashmir was not included & added that overall situation is improving and with the operation of a direct train up to Kashmir and further improvement of the National Highway, tourism is expected to set new benchmarks
Rakesh Wazir highlighted the rapid transformation of various tourist destinations around Katra, where visitor numbers increased exponentially. He cited examples such as Shiv Khori, Nau Devian, Baba Dhansar, Bhaderwah and Patnitop etc.
Vikas Gupta emphasized Jammu’s vast tourism potential, spanning pilgrimage, leisure, adventure, and health tourism. He stressed the need to direct tourists’ focus toward these opportunities.
Yasha reaffirmed that the discussion marked just the beginning and assured that follow-up meetings would be held soon to translate these ideas into concrete actions for the advancement of tourism in J&K.
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