With an aim to showcase and promote Jammu and Kashmir’s potential as a major tourist destination, Travel Agents Association Of India (TAAI) in association with the Ministry of Tourism, Jammu and Kashmir, has organised it’s 64th convention and exhibition at Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir from March 27 till March 30, 2018. The convention witnessed a congregation of local travel and trade associations as well as hospitality delegates from all over India and abroad.
To highlight the importance of holding such conventions for identifying Jammu and Kashmir as a box of hidden opportunities and elaborate future prospects related to tourism and trade boost, a press conference was organised at the Royal Spring Golf course, Srinagar on March 27, 2018. Addressing the travel trade, hospitality fraternity and journalists before the formal inauguration of 64th TAAI convention, Tassaduq Hussain Mufti, minister of tourism, Jammu and Kashmir said, “ The negative perception regarding Jammu and Kashmir has hampered tourism in the state to an extreme extent. This perception needs to be changed. Tourism should grow irrespective of the area.”
Also, Mehmood Shah, tourism director, Jammu and Kashmir said, “Due to the shortage of five star hotels in the state, only 600 members from existing 5000 TAAI’s members are attending this convention.”
Speaking on how to break apart this negative perception, Hussain said, “Events such as TAAI conventions and similar events are few of the initiatives that we have taken up to improve and bring out Kashmir’s beauty and attract more tourists. With such events, we wish to uphold state tourism and strengthen the local and global tourism communication so that people should become aware of Jammu and Kashmir’s rich ecology, picturesque destinations and build partnerships with us.”
Sunil Kumar, president, TAAI, also expressed his insights on promoting tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. He said, “ We are pretty confident that after this convention concludes, Kashmir’s image as a tourist destination will multiply and more tourists will flock the state for the same cause.”
“Also, during the course of this convention we will chalk out strategies and brainstorm ideas for promoting Jammu and Kashmir as a global tourist destination,” Kumar added.
By Shivasheesh Srivastava