Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 20: Yasha Mudgal, Commissioner Secretary to the Government, Tourism Department today emphasized the crucial role of private-public partnerships in the growth of tourism in Jammu & Kashmir.
While addressing during a high-level meeting in New Delhi, she stated that private players have significantly contributed to the development of high-quality hotels, restaurants infrastructure projects such as ropeways, roads etc. in the recent past.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders in the tourism sector including president of the Hotel Association of India (HAI) 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.
Speaking on the occasion, Yasha Mudgal highlighted that with the upcoming launch of train services to Kashmir, J&K is poised to witness a major influx of tourists, making it imperative to enhance preparations and develop new tourist destinations.
Kachru said 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 HAI, he pledged to advocate to other Domestic and International hospitality companies to establish their presence in J&K.
Rakesh Wazir in his address highlighted the rapid transformation of various tourist destinations around Katra, where visitor numbers have increased exponentially.
He stressed the importance of further expanding tourism by promoting locations like Devi Pindian, Mathwar, Ambaran, Showa Mata, Raghunath Temple and Bawe Wali and proposed several initiatives to enhance tourism, including, a light and sound show on Maa Vaishno Devi’s history at Katra.
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.
Concluding the meeting, Mudgal reaffirmed that this discussion marks 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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