Latest news with #RallyfortheValley
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Making efforts to improve tourist experience: Omar
The Jammu and Kashmir government is making efforts to woo tourists, including steps to improve their overall experience, chief minister Omar Abdullah said, addressing the collapse of the sector following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. He was at the start of 'Rally for the Valley: Let's go to Jammu and Kashmir', a tourism revival initiative by the Travel Agents Association of India(TAAI). 'Tourists have a journey or an experience. That they go home and tell others about it and I think there are lessons we've all learned over the past few months,' Omar, who is also the tourism minister, said in his speech on Wednesday evening. Tourist arrivals in J&K dipped to near zero after the attack at Baisaran meadow that claimed 26 lives, 25 tourists and a local. The Valley also saw an exodus of tourists immediately after the attack. The industry took a further dip amid the military confrontation between India and Pakistan from May 7 to 10. Omar reiterated that the J&K government is using this time to improve infrastructure and overall visitor experience. 'I have already given instructions to the cable car corporation to upgrade the gondola in Gulmarg so that capacity is increased, ticketing is improved and the overall experience is enhanced. The same applies to other tourist attractions in J&K,' he said. He extended his gratitude to the TAAI delegation and its president Sunil Kumar for visiting Kashmir. 'Let me express deep gratitude, not just from my side or from the government's side, but on behalf of everyone connected with tourism in Kashmir—thank you for being here and for giving us this boost,' he said. On the Pahalgam attack, he emphasised the importance of learning from the past. 'It's hard to talk about the future without looking back to understand how we got here. The tragic incident on April 22 in Baisaran must never be forgotten,' he said. On the improvement in connectivity, he highlighted the addition of rail services to the region: 'Today, Kashmir has a railway network. You were able to cross the highest railway bridge in the world—which is a testament to the hard work of engineers and the companies that built it. You crossed the only cable-stayed railway bridge in the country. And you did this in a region of extreme challenges,' he said.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Top travel agents across India visit Kashmir to revive tourism post Pahalgam attack
SRINAGAR: As tourism in the Valley has been badly hit by the Pahalgam terror attack, leading travel agents from across the country are visiting Kashmir to help revive tourism in the region. At least 70 members of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), India's premier and largest travel trade association with over 2500 members, are on a three-day visit to Kashmir as part of the initiative 'Rally for the Valley' from June 10-12. TAAI members have held interactions with local tourism stakeholders, including travel agents, hoteliers, houseboat owners, entrepreneurs and government officials on how to revive tourism in Kashmir again. The TAAI's held an event in a Srinagar hotel yesterday which was attended by local tourism stakeholders and also Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Speaking on the occasion, CM Omar said the government is working to improve the experience of tourists coming to J&K, maintaining that tourists who come to Kashmir should want to return. "Tourists have a journey or an experience. They go home and tell others about it. I think there are lessons we've all learned over the past few months," Omar said and reiterated that J&K government is using this time to improve infrastructure and overall visitor experience. The CM said, the TAAI delegation's visit under such circumstances is a true reminder of the association's commitment to J&K and their relationship with the region.
