CS Dulloo advocates for promotion of off-beat tourist destinations with WB

Srinagar, Sept 10: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo held a key interactive session with a World Bank (WB) team today to discuss the development and promotion of off-beat tourism destinations across Jammu and Kashmir. The session, which included the Commissioner Secretary of Tourism, Directors of Tourism from Jammu and Kashmir, and other senior officials, aimed to explore ways to enhance the region’s tourism sector.
Dulloo highlighted the unique strengths and challenges of the region, emphasizing its potential in horticulture, hospitality, and handicrafts. He urged the World Bank team to provide their expertise to create a comprehensive and sustainable tourism promotion plan for several lesser-known destinations in the Union Territory.
Commissioner Secretary of Tourism, Yasha Mudgal, presented an overview of the current tourism scenario in J&K, underscoring the need to develop new tourist spots to alleviate the pressure on traditional destinations, which are nearing their capacity limits. She detailed potential destinations for sustainable development and outlined the criteria for their selection, along with the required support from the Ministry of Tourism and the World Bank.
Director of Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir, Mehmood Shah, discussed strategies to boost the handicrafts sector, including the need for a world-class consultancy and the development of an e-commerce platform for authentic handicrafts. Proposals for creating handicraft clusters, branding, and marketing, as well as establishing common facility centers and enhancing artisan training, were also reviewed.