Mumbai, October 13, (KNB): Tariq Hussain, CEO of the Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA), showcased the tourism potential of Jammu and Kashmir to tour operators and media professionals on the sidelines of the IITM (India International Travel Mart) event.
He shed light on various aspects of tourism, inviting people to experience the natural beauty and warm hospitality of the people in Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir is a year-round destination offering diverse experiences and services.
The Department of Tourism, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, actively participated in the three-day IITM Mumbai event, which began on October 12 at the Nehru Centre in Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department delegation, led by Tariq Hussain, included Bashir Ahmad Wani, Incharge of the Tourist Office in Mumbai, along with various tourism stakeholders and travel trade operators from the region.
The J&K tourism stall witnessed a significant turnout of stakeholders and representatives from various states who showed interest in Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism offerings. The J&K tourism team provided valuable information to visitors in the J&K Tourism Pavilion.
Travel trade professionals from Maharashtra expressed their eagerness to promote offbeat and lesser-known destinations in Jammu and Kashmir. The Tourism Department is actively identifying and focusing on 75 offbeat destinations, 75 new tracks, and 300 other potential tourism spots that have remained hidden.
Jammu and Kashmir Tourism had a remarkable year in the previous year, breaking all records with over 1.88 crore visitors. In the first seven months of this year, the region has already welcomed 1.33 crore visitors and is poised to attract even more tourists in the coming months. Prominent travel trade groups from Maharashtra had extensive discussions with Jammu and Kashmir tourism representatives, expressing their commitment to promote MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), golf tourism, and film tourism.
They appreciated the efforts of the LG Administration and the Tourism Department in providing a hassle-free mechanism to attract a wide range of tourists to Jammu and Kashmir.
The visiting J&K Tourism officers are confident that events like IITM will undoubtedly contribute to increased tourist arrivals in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, thereby boosting the local economy and generating employment opportunities.-KNB