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Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Travel and Trade Fair Kolkata 2025: Dharamshala hotel body leads Himachal's representation
The Hotel and Restaurant Association, Dharamshala has taken the lead to ensure the representation of the state's tourism industry at the Travel and Trade Fair (TTF) Kolkata 2025. The association has also urged the Himachal Pradesh government to resume participation in future trade shows and tourism expos. (File) Travel and Trade Fairs (TTFs) are held throughout the year across various cities in India, serving as important platforms for tourism promotion and industry networking. 'Himachal Pradesh Tourism has traditionally participated in these fairs — including the prestigious TTF Kolkata — with enthusiastic representation from hoteliers and tourism stakeholders across the state. This year, however, the Himachal Pradesh government has opted not to participate in TTF Kolkata 2025. In response, the Hotel and Restaurant Association, Dharamshala has taken the lead to ensure that the state's tourism industry continues to have a strong presence,' the association said. The association has also urged the Himachal Pradesh government to resume participation in future trade shows and tourism expos. Ashwani Bamba, president of Dharamshala's Hotel and Restaurant Association, said, 'Government support is crucial to the continued promotion of quality tourism, and the integration of digital marketing strategies that effectively showcase Himachal's offerings to a wider audience,' the association said.
NDTV
10-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Tourism Bouncing Back In J&K After Pahalgam Attack": Omar Abdullah
Kolkata: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that there is an air of optimism about the revival of tourism in the Union Territory after the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people, mostly visitors, dead. Speaking at a travel and tourism event here, Abdullah said there is hope for a new beginning in J&K with tourism "bouncing back" after the terror attack. "2025 is not an easy year for us. The year can be divided into two parts - before and after the Pahalgam attack. We all see that tourism is bouncing back in J&K. There is a message of hope," Mr Abdullah said. VIDEO | Here's what Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) said, addressing at the opening day of TTF Kolkata. "Looking at the dais this morning, I can't help but feel that Jammu and Kashmir has captured the opening day of TTF Kolkata... If you look at the… — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 10, 2025 People of West Bengal are with J&K, he said, adding that the relationship between the two regions transcends over time in the context of "trust and affection". "West Bengal stood with J&K both politically and economically. We offer adventure and destination tourism. On the ground, there is an air of hope of a new beginning," the chief minister said. Mr Abdullah assured that all necessary steps have been taken for the safety of tourists in J&K. "I understand everyone's concern after the Pahalgam incident. But please be assured that all necessary steps have been taken. Please listen to the people who have returned from Pahalgam recently," he said. The Amarnath yatra is also taking place, and there has also been a noticeable increase in the number of direct flights to J&K, Mr Abdullah said. "Tourism is bouncing back. I am here in the city (Kolkata) to boost that", he said. Tourists are allowed to go to Pahalgam now, he said. "There are some places where we are conducting security audits. We are working to give tourists a safe and secure destination," Abdullah added.
Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
From across country, 60-member group of tour operators embarks on ‘solidarity' tour of Kashmir
With J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah pushing for a return of tourists to the Valley after the industry took a big hit following last month's Pahalgam terror attack, a 60-member group of tour operators from across the country has embarked on a 'solidarity' visit to Kashmir. This is the first group of tour operators from outside Jammu and Kashmir to visit the Valley after the April 22 terror attack in which 25 tourists and a local man were shot dead in Pahalgam. The visit is expected to give a push to the government's plans to revive tourism. The government is also planning to set up a memorial for those killed in the terror attack. The visitors include representatives of 26 major tour operators and are led by Maharashtra-based Abhijeet Patil, who met CM Omar Abdullah in Pahalgam on Tuesday. 'This tour is more of a solidarity trip with the people of Kashmir to celebrate bonhomie,' Patil, from Raja Rani Travels, told The Indian Express. 'After the (Pahalgam) attack, we saw how the people spontaneously condemned it. We thought we also need to stand by them,' he said. Patil said that tour operators from Maharashtra had reached out to the Chief Minister after the attack. 'Initially, we were 10-12 operators. But then it went up, and today we are 60 members here (in Pahalgam),' he said. 'The entire travel industry is being represented, and it is beyond our expectations. We wanted to show solidarity with the people of Kashmir and send the right kind of message.' Chief Minister Abdullah, after holding a Cabinet meeting in Pahalgam in an effort to instil confidence in tourists, interacted with tourism stakeholders from the Valley as well as the tour operators from outside J&K. 'In my mind, the most important thing is, it is very heartening that this initiative came from them. They said they want to come,' Abdullah said. Patil said they did not want any assurances from the government, just correct and timely information. 'To be honest, we are here on a friendship trip and we want to build on that,' he said. In Pahalgam for the Cabinet meeting, Abdullah on Tuesday cycled through town to send a message that the Valley is safe. The J&K government has decided to set up a memorial for those killed on April 22. The memorial will be set up at the Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, where the tourists were killed. The J&K government is also planning to participate in tour and travel festivals across the country in its effort to bring tourists back to the Valley. 'We are exploring how best we can participate in the upcoming travel fairs, especially TTF Kolkata and Ahmedabad,' Omar said. 'We are working with stakeholders and tourism officials… We hope that, God willing, with the successful culmination of the Amarnath Yatra, we can tap into some traffic from West Bengal during Puja holidays,' the Chief Minister said. Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. ... Read More
