Srinagar, Sep 27: Secretary Tourism & Culture, Sarmad Hafeez Tuesday launched several tourism related activities to mark the World Tourism Day celebrations at Zabarwan Park here on Tuesday.
On the occasion, the Secretary Tourism flagged off the Downtown Legacy Tour and Heritage Walk.
Director Tourism Kashmir, Fazl ul Haseeb; Managing Director, J&K Tourism Development Corporation, Minga Sherpa, heads and representatives of Travel & Trade, tourists, students and other concerned were also present on the occasion.
The Downtown Legacy Tour would explore art and culture of old Srinagar, besides showcasing traditional locations which include Sheher-e-Khaas Bazaar, Khanqah-e-Maula, Tomb of Zainul Abideen’s mother, Pathar Masjid, Jamia Masjid, Raghunath Temple, Hari Parbat Fort (Koh-e-marran) and Gurudwara Chattipadshahi.
The events were organized by J&K Tourism Development Corporation and J&K Tourism in association with Aabe Rawan.
Speaking on the occasion, Hafeez reiterated that J&K Tourism has taken several initiatives to boost local sightseeing and Downtown sightseeing is another step in this regard.
He observed that the theme of WTD is Rethinking Tourism and J&K has already started on it since 2020. He said that during COVID-19 Pandemic, Tourism Industry was one of the worst hit and that is where Rethinking Tourism comes into handy and there is need to rethink our tourism and find ways and means to revive it pristine glory.
He also congratulated Kashmir Tourism Forum and tourism players alike for participated in these events.
He reaffirmed that J&K Tourism is trying to concentrate more on experiential tourism and working to enhance that experience for tourists.
He maintained that Kashmir has so much to offer where tourists can come and have this local experience.
He said that J&K is a brand and people from all over the world and the country want to travel to Kashmir.
“We have suffered from recent past as there are perceptions about Kashmir, perceptions about travelling to Kashmir and with these initiatives we all are able to defeat some of these perceptions. All the efforts like festivals, travel marts, road shows has helped us to defeat those perceptions and there is no stopping now,” Hafez told the gathering of tourism players.
He added that time is not far when Kashmir will regain number one place in the entire country in tourism.
On the occasion, he also launched Sanitation drive along trekking routes and other tourist destinations around Srinagar.
B’pora possesses vast potential for border, adventure tourism: Samoon
Bandipora, Sep 27: Aimed at to encourage youth towards promoting tourism activities, Government Polytechnic College Bandipora Tuesday celebrated World Tourism Day.
Principal Secretary, Skill Development Department (SDD), Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, was the chief guest on the occasion.
Dr Samoon, while addressing on the occasion, said that Bandipora possesses vast potential and scope for border and adventure tourism thus offering numerous opportunities to trekkers from across the world to satiate their aspirations. He exhorted upon all stakeholders to contribute towards making Bandipora the most tempting tourist destination in the Valley.
He urged upon the youth to focus on opportunities in the tourism sector and invest there as this vital sector plays a significant role in region’s economy. “The present administration is committed towards handholding of youth in their fields”, said the Principal Secretary while exhorting youth to take benefit from various Youth Oriented schemes. He said that the government has launched numerous initiatives towards taking the tourism profile of the UT to new highs.
Dr. Samoon asked the Principal Polytechnic College to ensure 100 percent admission in the institute. He also directed the concerned to macadamize the approach road of Polytechnic College.
Principal Polytechnic College, Bandipora, Hakim Javid Ahmad, said that the motto of celebrating this day is to encourage students to participate in various extra curricular activities and showcase their talent for nurturing their personalities. He said the Institute has achieved various milestones as the students of Mechanical Engineering from Bandipora Polytechnic College have bagged top two positions in the entire UT of J&K in the recently declared results of final semester examinations.
He apprised that five eligible girls of the institute have got fifty thousand rupees scholarship under Pragati and Saksham Scheme and more than 60 students got annual scholarship under different Schemes of various departments in the current year.
The event witnessed multilingual cultural performances by the students highlighting the importance of World Tourism Day. Besides, other speakers threw light on tourism potential of Bandipora district.
Later, Principal Secretary distributed certificates among meritorious pass outs of various courses and trades.
Director Skill Development, Sudarshan Kumar, ADC Bandipora, Waseem Raja, Principal Government Degree College, Bandipora, Syed Vilayat Rizvi, officers from district administration and students participated in the event.
‘Rethinking Tourism’: KU holds special events
Srinagar, Sep 27: The University of Kashmir on Tuesday celebrated the World Tourism Day under the theme, ‘Rethinking Tourism’.
Sarmad Hafeez, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary, Tourism, J&K Government, was the chief guest on the occasion, while Registrar KU Dr Nisar Ahmad Mir and Mr Mahmood A Shah, Director Handicrafts J&K were the guests of honour.
The programme was organised by the varsity’s Department of Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Studies (DTHLS) in collaboration with Himalayan Welfare Organisation (HWO).
In his presidential address, Sarmad Hafeez highlighted J&K’s vast tourism potential and the new initiatives being taken by the Tourism Department to promote untapped tourism destinations across the UT.
Calling for “active partnership” between the University of Kashmir and the Tourism Department, Mr Hafeez said there is not a single place in the world other than Kashmir that can offer as much on the tourism platter.
He, however, said it’s important for institutions and young students to collaborate and jointly make a difference in the promotion of tourism sector that directly or indirectly concerns every individual.
Hafzeez also said that Jammu and Kashmir endeavours to undertake sustainable tourism and revive some of its rich traditions and offer the same on its tourism circuit.
KU Registrar Dr Nisar A Mir said the University is committed to create a human resource that benefits the tourism industry. He urged the Tourism Secretary and other stakeholders to do the hand-holding and up-skilling of the university’s tourism students to boost their journey of becoming tourism professionals.
In his special address, Mahmood A Shah called for “diversifying tourism products” in Jammu and Kashmir and also addressing the “information deficit” related to tourist places. He said craft tours are now being offered as a package to tourists to explore the UT’s “handicraft and handloom wealth.”
Coordinator DTHLS Dr Reyaz A Qureshi delivered the welcome address and called for greater Industry-Academic collaboration in areas of tourism and hospitality to develop well-trained tourism professionals.
President HWO Mushtaq A Pahalgami and President Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) Mr Farooq A Kathoo also shared the dais and highlighted the importance of partnership between various tourism stakeholders to take the Industry forward on the path of progression.
Dr Ajaz A Khaki delivered the welcome address and vote of thanks, while Dr Zubair Ahmad delivered the special address.
The event saw a colourful cultural programme, display of paintings, Vlogs, a skit and a dance fusion by the students of DTHLS related to the theme of the programme.
