Addresses 1st meeting of CII Northern Regional Committee on tourism, hospitality

SRINAGAR, JULY 18: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, today chaired the maiden meeting of Confederation of Indian Industry Northern Regional Committee on tourism and hospitality held in Srinagar to discuss the strategic interventions on revival of tourism and position J&K as global tourism hub.

Advisor to CM Nasir Aslam Aslam Wani and MLA Gulmarg Farooq Ahmed Shah were present in the meeting.

While addressing the meeting, the Dy CM highlighted several key points on boosting  tourism growth through collaboration and value-added verticals in Jammu and Kashmir. He maintained that the government intended to position J&K as a premier 365-Day destination beyond seasons. He urged the CII to support the government in shifting focus from summer/winter peaks to year-round tourism through curated experiences.

“Tourism and Kashmir are inter -related in such a way that one can’t be described in absence of other. It is not like that tourism in Kashmir is for a particular season but round the year. Every season has its own significance” he added.

The Dy CM said that the CII has been working closely with government on policy issues, enhancing efficiency, competitiveness and expanding business opportunities for the industry through a range of specialised services and global linkages. He urged the CII to come forward with a special focus on tourism, handloom and handicrafts, adventure sports and skill development to explore more possibilities of campaigning and awareness about high scope in J&K.

The Dy CM stated that our partnership with CII will unlock sustainable growth, generate employment and showcase our cultural heritage to the world. He reiterated that the government is taking all steps to boost tourism in J&K with special focus on enhancing the infrastructure, diversifying tourism offerings, promoting safety and security besides engaging the local communities.

While speaking on the occasion, the Advisor to CM said that CII with its National and International connects should help government in targeting niche markets for sustainable growth and higher tourist spending. He invited the CII members and industry at large to promote J&K on MICE Tourism map and suggest ways to further strengthen the tourism infrastructure in J&K.

Highlighting the importance of handlooms and handicrafts, the Dy CM suggested showcasing them through live demonstrations, craft village tours, and immersive shopping experiences to captivate audiences.” He asserted that J&K is famous for its rich culture and heritage and one of our endeavours should be reviving folk festivals, sufi music circuits, heritage walks in Srinagar/Jammu.

MLA Gulmarg, Farooq Ahmed Shah, emphasized that adventure sports can be a key driver for tourism promotion, suggesting that Gulmarg and Pahalgam be leveraged to host national and international adventure sports competitions.

He further said that Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) is also one area where government and CII could jointly work and develop specialized infrastructure like adventure parks, wellness centers, heritage hotels via transparent PPP models. He also suggested to explore possibility of joint marketing campaigns with airlines, hotel chains and travel aggregators and empower the local cooperatives for homestay, guided tours and artisans markets.

Earlier, Chairman CII Northern Regional Committee on Tourism & Hospitality, K.B Kachru, highlighted the agenda of the meeting which mainly included police interventions, yearly action plan, tourism review of northern states, skill development, capacity building and flagship schemes.

He said that CII took a conscious decision to hold its first regional committee on tourism meeting in Srinagar to send a message to larger industry that we must promote J&K at this juncture. He reiterated that CII and its members would like to contribute in overall tourism development of this region. “Our priority is to drive policy reforms, sustainable practices, and public-private synergies” he added.

Lastly, Chairman CII J&K, Dr. M.A Alim, while presenting the vote of thanks, said that J&K government and CII will soon roll out certain initiatives to further boost growth in this sector.

No: PR/DI/25/978/

SRINAGAR, JULY 18: J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah after his interaction on Thursday with public at his Jammu Raabita office, today listened to public grievances at Srinagar Raabita office. Several deputations and individuals called on the Chief Minister at the weekly public outreach programme and apprised him of various issues, demands and challenges faced by different sections of society.

Prof. Iqbal S. Hasnain, Padma Shri awardee and Member of the Board of Trustees at the National University of Science and Technology, Muscat, Omanpresented his book “Fault Lines in the Faith” to the Chief Minister. Prof. Hasnain also serves on the Executive Committee of Hamdard University and the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, and is the former Pro-Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard.

Javid Ahmad Tenga, President of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), met the Chief Minister to discuss various trade-related matters and shared insights into the challenges faced by the business community in Kashmir.

A delegation of international martial arts players also called on the Chief Minister to deliberate on the emerging challenges concerning international-level sports persons from Jammu and Kashmir, and sought the government’s continued support for developing their talent and giving them ample opportunities.

President and Secretary of the Kashmir Labour Union’s Federation, brought to the Chief Minister’s attention the pressing concerns regarding the Jammu and Kashmir Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (JKBOCWWB). He urged the government to expedite the appointment of the Board’s Chairman and to facilitate prompt approval of welfare funds for lakhs of construction workers across J&K.

In addition, deputations from Beerwah, Inderwal, Baramulla, and other regions also met the Chief Minister to highlight issues specific to their constituencies and local population.
Representatives from minority communities too called on the Chief Minister and flagged various issues and demands for his attention.

The Chief Minister gave a patient hearing with all visiting delegations and individuals and assured them that their genuine concerns will be addressed on priority, reaffirming his government’s commitment to inclusive and responsive governance.