Srinagar, Aug 02: The Hotel Association of India (HAI) has given its support to the Jammu and Kashmir government’s initiative towards developing the state as a globally competitive, twelve-month-a-year tourist destination. The commitment was made at a high-level meeting organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Srinagar recently, where leading government officials and leaders of the hospitality industry gathered to discuss a convergence roadmap for tourism revival and sustainable growth.Addressing the function, HAI President K.B. Kachru welcomed the CII effort in bringing together the public and private sectors. “This platform is a move in the right direction. A collaborative approach is the only way we can achieve Jammu and Kashmir’s true tourism potential,” he said.HAI, India’s major hotel chains and hospitality institutions, identified several partnership areas of high priority: developing infrastructure, training local youth in skills, marketing local art and crafts, and sustainability in the tourism value chain.Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while speaking to a co-simultaneous meeting on tourism renewal, highlighted that Jammu and Kashmir should develop from being a seasonal destination to one that is visited throughout the year. “Our aim is to present tourists with new and varied experiences beyond the conventional summer and winter seasons,” he said, and added that the government is making efforts to boost spiritual tourism, eco-tourism, adventure trails, and cultural circuits. HAI has welcomed this strategy and offered its support in enhancing hospitality services across the region. “Tourism today is about experiences, not just locations. We’re looking to develop immersive, community-driven tourism models,” an HAI official said. One of the major takeaways from the discussion was the emphasis on skill creation. HAI indicated its desire to partner with local education institutions to provide in-house vocational training in housekeeping, cuisine, front office management, and sustainable tourism management. The idea is to make the youth of the region employment-fit and develop a steady local talent pool for the hospitality industry. To also give a boost to the local economy, HAI will further help introduce Kashmiri handicrafts and handlooms into the tourism sector. This involves marketing traditional products in hotels, arranging craft bazaars, and introducing artisan-led activities into travel packages.On the infrastructure side, the government and industry players recognized the development that projects such as the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s tallest rail bridge have brought, which has significantly enhanced connectivity to Kashmir and reduced travel time between Srinagar and Jammu.Government officials confirmed that the organisation will remain a facilitator between the industry and government, providing frequent dialogue, open feedback, and constant monitoring of developments.
