8 hours ago
Tour operators meet J&K CM, discuss ways to promote tourism
A delegation from the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) on Tuesday (June 17, 2025) met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to discuss the revival of tourism in the State, which has been affected following the Pahalgam terror attacks.
The 30-member delegation was led by Ravi Gosain, President of IATO.
Mr. Abdullah assured the delegation of the safety and security of the tourists and urged them to spread the word that Kashmir was safe to travel to. Also present at the meeting were Yasha Mudgal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary Tourism Department and Raja Yaqoob Farooq, Director Tourism – Kashmir, the IATO said in a statement.
The delegation met the CM as part of three-day 'Rubaroo Jammu and Kashmir' campaign by the IATO.
'It was important to assess the ground situation and during our three-day tour, we found the State as safe as any other place. Besides, we have assurances from the highest echelons of the government and that gives us all huge confidence and I am sure tourist flow to the State would be back to normal in times to come,' Mr. Gosain said.
The IATO had earlier said that there was nearly 40% cancellations of tours following the Pahalgam incident.
'Obviously the sentiment was hit, but it is important to restore confidence and revive tourism. The visit is a step in this direction and we are completely satisfied with safety arrangements made by the government', Mr. Gosain added.
The IATO is the national body of the tourism industry. It has over 1600 members covering all segments of Tourism Industry. It was established in 1982.
