Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 22: Highlighting the importance of skill development in hospitality sector, Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora today said Government has focused attention on promotion of tourism sector in the State.
Jora was addressing at a function, organized by Food Craft Institute Jammu to distribute certificates among pass out batches.
Minister said that the Government is focusing on imparting training to the local youth in the hospitality sector which on one way hand given them employment and on other hand will ensure providing good services to tourists.
Mr Jora said that Central Government has already sanctioned Rs 4.50 crore for construction of Food Craft Institute campus at Nagrota. He said land for the purpose has been allotted by the Government and after construction work would begin after completion of codal formalities.
Director Tourism, Jammu R S Mehta, Principal, FCI Jammu, Joti Bati, Joint Director Tourism, S. K Gupta, former Director Tourism, S M Sahani, besides representatives of hotel and tourism industry and students of FCI, Jammu attended the function.
Mr. Jora said that Jammu and Kashmir has been declared as number one in the successful conduct of training in hospitality sector under the Hunar-Se-Rozgar (HSR) programme.
He said at present the State has three institutions one each at Srinagar, Jammu and Leh offering courses in hospitality sector. He said about 50% youth trained in hospitality courses under HSR have got employment within and outside the State. He said Jammu Food Craft Institute would soon have its own campus where degree and diploma courses in the hospitality trade would be introduced.
The Minister said the main objective of offering skill development training in hospitality sector is to capitalize on the vast tourism potential in the State. He called upon youth to avail the facility and opt for professional courses having potential of employment in tourism sector.
The Minister said that Srinagar has a full-flagged Institute of Hotel Management (IHMs), while in Leh the work on FCI complex involving over Rs. 5 crore would be completed this year.
Jora said that no region of the State would be neglected in promotion of tourism. “Government is keen to upgrade tourist related infrastructure at all potential spots of the state which not only facilitate tourists but also help to boost the economy of the locals”, he said and added that State has received a large number of tourists this season and the trend is likely to continue in future as well.
Director Tourism, Jammu in his speech highlighted the aims and objectives of Hunar-Se-Rozgar programme .He said the growth of tourism depends upon two things one infrastructure building and another trained staff.
He said State Government is endeavoring to provide skill development trainings to the youth under Tourism and Hospitality sector which guarantee ample job opportunities.
Follow our WhatsApp channel