J-K CM meets tourism, business bodies; assures time-bound action on grievances

Srinagar, Jul 7 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday met travel, tourism, and business stakeholders here and discussed issues concerning the sectors. The stakeholders highlighted issues concerning the tourism industry, measures to strengthen tourist inflow, ease of travel, and initiatives required to sustain the momentum of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, an official said. The chief minister met delegations representing the travel, tourism and business sectors at the Civil Secretariat and held detailed discussions on issues concerning tourism promotion, business facilitation and the overall growth of the economy in Jammu and Kashmir, he said. Abdullah assured the representatives that the concerns raised by them would be examined and addressed in a time-bound manner in coordination with the concerned departments. He said that a delegation comprising representatives of leading travel and tourism associations, including Irshad Ahmad (TAAI), Zahoor Qari, President SKÃL International Kashmir, Burhan Misgar, Chairman Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), and Waseem Goosani, President TASK, called on the chief minister and apprised him of various matters relating to the travel and tourism sector. They also shared suggestions aimed at improving visitor experience and enhancing Jammu and Kashmir's position as a preferred tourist destination, the spokesman said. He said the chief minister heard the delegation and reiterated his government's commitment to creating an enabling environment for the tourism sector, recognising it as one of the key drivers of economic growth and employment. Later, Tariq Ghani, Secretary General, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce, also called on Abdullah and discussed a range of issues about business, trade and tourism, the spokesman added. PTI SSB APL APL