Srinagar, Sep 23: Ace adventurer and a prominent tour operator Rauf A Tramboo has been elected as the new President of Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) in its 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held here at Pahalgam on September 23, 2023, Saturday.
During the meeting, the speakers highlighted importance of promoting responsible tourism and maintaining the carrying capacity of each destination.
The AGM was held at Pahalgam in which large number of travel agents and tour operators, destination promoters participated in an effort to promote Pahalgam and as most sought-after and adventure tourism hub of Jammu and Kashmir.
During the AGM, the results of the recently conducted elections of Executive Committee were also announced. The newel-elected executive committee through collegiums elected Rauf Tramboo as President while Habibullah Pandow was reelected as Vice President, Sajad Kralyari as Secretary General, Ajaz Ragga as Joint Secretary, Mohammad Shafi Jaan as Finance Secretary, G N Bhat as Chief Organiser and Mohammad Imran Khan as Publicity Secretary, the TAAK said in a press release.
The TAAK also conferred the most prestigious Manzoor Siddiq Memorial Award to the prominent houseboat owner and travel agent Ghulam Rasool Siah for his “outstanding commitment” to the tourism sector.
Assistant Director Tourism Pahalgam Bilal Ahmad was the special guest. KCCI General Secretary Faiz A Bakshi and its office bearers and EC members Abrar Khan and Dr Tauseef Bhat were also present. Besides prominent social activists and environmentalists, Dr Raja Muzaffar, Sajad Rasool, Mushtaq Pahalgami and others were also present.
Outgoing president Farooq Kuthoo in his welcome address expressed his gratitude to the members and others associated with travel trade for extending him full support during his tenure as president and said he has worked for the promotion of tourism sector and welfare of the general members.
He said that TAAK has been at the forefront in promoting Kashmir in general and the less visited places in particular. Promoting an off-beat destination will also help decongest tourist spots such as Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg, he said.
Kuthoo stressed on advocating tourism to a limited number and strongly opposed over tourism saying it would only destroy local ecology. The elected president Rauf Tramboo in his speech said that every part of Kashmir is full of unique beauty which should be promoted.
“Promoting off the beaten track destinations is also a great service to the community in these areas where tourists visit less compared to popular destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg,” he said.
Tramboo promised that he would further take TAAK’s legacy to newer heights and take all issues travel trade is facing to higher authority.
During the AGM proceedings, Secretary General Sajad Kralyari highlighted the achievements and activities carried out by TAAK for the promotion of Kashmir tourism. He said TAAK has been promoting green and responsible tourism to safeguard Kashmir’s fragile ecology.
Former presidents Peerzada Faiyaz and Ashfaq Siddiq Dug moderated the event. All members present at the meeting appreciated TAAK’s efforts to promote off the beaten track destinations.
