Surprised over exclusion from MICE tourism meet in Mumbai: Naveen Kundu

Srinagar, Jan 30: A key figure in promoting Kashmir as a prime destination for corporate tourism, Naveen Kundu, the Managing Director of Ebix and Mercury Travels expressed his surprise and disappointment over being excluded from the recent MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism meet held in Mumbai.
The event, which was attended by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, was aimed at fostering partnerships with tourism stakeholders to promote the region’s tourism industry, particularly in the MICE sector, which plays a significant role in economic growth and attracting corporate groups.
In an exclusive conversation with Rising Kashmir from Delhi, Kundu, known for his instrumental role in bringing corporate groups to Kashmir during challenging periods, questioned the decision not to invite him. “I am the man who brought corporate groups to Kashmir when others couldn’t dare to do so,” he said, highlighting his years of effort in positioning Kashmir as a go-to location for business and leisure travel.
The MICE meeting in Mumbai was intended to strengthen tourism ties, encourage investment, and showcase Jammu and Kashmir’s potential as a lucrative destination for corporate events, conferences, and incentive travel. The event gathered several prominent stakeholders from the tourism industry, aiming to collaborate on ways to boost the region’s tourism sector and recover from previous setbacks caused by security concerns and the pandemic.
However, Kundu, who operates 22 offices across India and six international locations, expressed confusion over his exclusion, stating, “I should have been sitting beside CM Omar. I am a Kashmiri Pandit and I have utmost affection for Kashmiri. I feel there could have been a proper mechanism followed for inviting people.”
He also pointed out that some of the people invited were pure outbound agents who don’t have domestic business.
Reflecting on his longstanding involvement with the region’s tourism department, Kundu recalled that when National Conference MLA from Gulmarg, Farooq Shah, was the Director of Tourism, he would always ensure Kundu’s participation in such important meetings. Similarly, former chief minister Mufti Mohmmad Syed and finance minister Dr. Haseeb Drabu would also extend invitations to him for such engagements.
“This is the first time I have been left out of such a significant gathering,” Kundu said, expressing disbelief at his exclusion from a major tourism discussion involving the Chief Minister.
As a key player in reviving Kashmir’s corporate tourism industry, Kundu’s absence from the MICE tourism meet in Mumbai raises concerns about the transparency and inclusivity of the event’s invitation process.
Kundu said that he has posted on X asking CM Omar about the mechanism followed and that he is waiting for the response.