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Time of India
13 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Reviving tourism: Travel agents from across India to converge in Kashmir this weekend
Reviving tourism: Travel agents from across India to converge in Kashmir this weekend NEW DELHI: Travel agents from across the country will converge in Kashmir this weekend in a bid to revive tourism there following this once-thriving industry's near-total collapse after the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. The Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), which is one of the country's biggest umbrella organisations for agents with over 1,600 members, is holding its meeting in Srinagar and Pahalgam from June 13-16 to instill confidence among the fraternity. 'Our members from all over the country will go to Kashmir and assess the situation for themselves. Once and if they feel confident about the place and about the safety & security of tourists, they will again start presenting Kashmir as a destination,' said TAFI VP Anil Kalsi, adding, 'We will be staying across hotels, including houseboats, and have meetings with govt representatives. Airlines will also be a part of this meeting we are having in Kashmir. ' Srinagar hotels and flights commanded a big premium before the Pahalgam attack as Kashmir was seeing unprecedented tourist footfalls post Covid. But after the April 22 attack, tourists already there left Kashmir in droves and those who had plans to visit cancelled the same. 'What happened in Pahalgam was tragic and shocking beyond words. Authorities there need to regain confidence and trust of tourists for the latter to return there,' said a Delhi-based travel agent. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo If the agents' meet finds the situation safe enough for that to happen, what incentives will the local hotels and airlines offer for tourists to return? 'The near complete collapse of demand has left airfares and hotel tariffs at near bottom levels, so prices are very low. Gulmarg's Khyber, for instance, used to have daily tariffs of about Rs 75,000 which are now down to Rs 21-22,000 and the hotel is offering packages,' said Kalsi. J & K is currently focussed on ensuring a safe Amarnath Yatra as they hope that will send out a message that tourists can return to Kashmir. The yatra duration has been curtailed to 38 days, instead of 52 days in 2024, and will be on between July 3 and Aug 9, 2025. A total of 581 companies from various Central Armed Police Forces, along with personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, will be deployed along the pilgrimage routes to ensure safety of the lakhs of pilgrims. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Shery Kalsi refutes Manjinder Singh Sirsas allegations against Aam Aadmi Party and Punjab government.
Ludhiana: Aam Aadmi Party 's Punjab working president, Shery Kalsi, has launched a scathing rebuttal of Bharatiya Janata Party campaigner Manjinder Singh Sirsa's accusation that the state's AAP govt is enabling door-to-door drug delivery. "This is not just a lie—it's a naked, shameless one," Kalsi said on Sunday, responding to Sirsa's press conference in which the BJP leader blamed AAP for worsening Punjab's drug problem. Kalsi reminded Sirsa that synthetic drugs like chitta were unheard of before 2007 and alleged it was the 2007–2017 regime of the BJP-SAD coalition that had pushed Punjab into a narcotics crisis. "Instead of jobs, the youth were handed syringes. Drug traffickers were protected, not prosecuted," he said, directly accusing Sirsa of complicity, citing his past role as officer on special duty (OSD) to former deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. Kalsi questioned Sirsa's personal contribution during that time, saying, "You were in the system. What did you do to stop it? And now, you preach morality?" He also referenced past allegations against Sirsa, including claims of financial impropriety involving Sikh religious donations. "The public hasn't forgotten," he added. In a pointed swipe, Kalsi challenged Sirsa's credibility as a voice for Punjab. "You were born in Haryana and live in Delhi. You don't understand Punjab's soil or its pain," he said. Highlighting the AAP govt's current performance, Kalsi said the state was witnessing real reforms — schools being upgraded, youth receiving jobs without bribes, and households benefiting from 300 units of free electricity. "No one is buying your lies anymore," he concluded. MSID:: 121707170 413 |
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Lucky Bansal joins Aam Aadmi Party along with associates in Ludhiana.
Ludhiana: In a significant political defection ahead of the Ludhiana West byelection, Lucky Bansal, a close associate of Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu, joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday along with several supporters. Bansal, a prominent figure from Ward Number 63, was welcomed into the party by Punjab AAP working president Amansher Singh Shery Kalsi at a public event attended by MLAs Ashok Parashar Pappi, Kuljit Randhawa, Kulwant Sidhu, and senior party member Sharanpal Makkar. Among those who joined Bansal in switching allegiance were Kapil Gupta, Sonia Gupta, Sonu Nagpal, Kapila, Dr Siddharth, and a dozen-odd others. Kalsi said the group had decided to break ranks with the Congress due to growing dissatisfaction with Ashu's leadership style and working methods. Land-pooling debate heats up On the sidelines of the induction, Kalsi also addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the Punjab govt's land pooling policy. He took a swipe at Shiromani Akali Dal leaders, claiming their opposition stemmed from losing control over lucrative land dealings. "Only Akali leaders are upset because their land mafia networks are no longer benefiting. Farmers have no issue with the policy — it ensures land ownership and happens only with their consent," Kalsi said. He added that under the new scheme, farmers will receive 1,000 square yards of residential and 200 square yards of commercial land for each acquired acre, with values projected to quadruple. In addition, farmers are set to receive ₹30,000 for each acre annually for the three-year development period. The policy has become a flashpoint between AAP and its political rivals, particularly the Akali Dal and Congress, amid the high-stakes by-election campaign. MSID:: 121600260 413 |
