Mir distributes awards, certificates
Kochi: The 29th Convention of Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) concluded here at Kochi with Tourism Minister of the Jammu and Kashmir Ghulam Ahmad Mir distributing awards to the participating states and the tour operators on the valedictory function on Tuesday. Mir was the chief guest on the concluding function.
While addressing the convention, the tourism minister appealed the tour operators to promote J&K as one of the best tourist destination in India.
“There is no match to beauty in Kashmir. People are also hospitable. The visit of the tourists to Kashmir is always memorable,” said Mir.
He also said that State government had developed many other equally beautiful spots like Mansabal, Doodhpatri, Yousmarg, Aharbal, Kokarnag, Achabal, Dekshu, Sinthan Pass.
“We have natural beauty and you should not miss to visit Kashmir,” he said.
Mir added that tourist inflow to Kashmir increased from 30000 in 2002 to around 20 lakh tourists in 2012.
“Now tourists are coming in large numbers and environment is peaceful and state government is also building the requisite infrastructure for your stays,” he informed.
The tourism minister also assured the tour operators that state government would take up the issue of rising air fare on Kashmir route during the peak season.
“During peak season, the airlines hike the prices of air tickets uptp Rs 30000 which badly affects our tourism. Tourists prefer to move to Europen and Middle East countries than to Kashmir due to the steep rise in air fares. We will meet civil aviation ministry and the airlines also to keep the airfarepredictable,” Mir said while addressing media persons here at Kochi where J&K tourism departmentand tour operators participated in the 29th Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) Convention.
He also offered to host the 30th Convention in Srinagar which much fanfare.
“We don’t have five star hotels like you have here, but whatever we have we assure you that we will make your state in Kashmir most memorable. If we are economically week but we have big heart to welcome you,” said Mir delivering an emotion speech to motivate tour operators for selling Kashmir.
He said Tourism Department is organsing a Saffron Festival from Oct 15 to Oct 30 where tourists can see saffron blooms and experience the plucking of saffron from flowers in world famous saffron fields of Pampore.
President IATO Subhash Goyal also appealed the tour operators to promote Kashmir for tourism.
“I tell you there is no place on earth as beautiful as Kashmir. You should sell Kashmir in your packages,” he said.
Goyal also announced that IATO would hold its Executive Committee meeting at Srinagar besides looking into organizing IATO Convention in Kashmir.
Chairman IATO-JK Chapter Abdul Khaliq Wangnoo expressed satisfaction over the participation of the J&K travel agents in the Convention.
He said participation of the tour operators from J&K has proved fruitful as many travel agents vowed to market the state.
Earlier, on morning of the first day of the convention, IATO organized run for responsible tourism in which J&K bagged first position as a travel agent from Ladkah Konchok Sharab finished first.
The media interaction with J&K tourism in Kochi was facilitated by Khyber Himalayan Resort and Spa.
While addressing the convention, the tourism minister appealed the tour operators to promote J&K as one of the best tourist destination in India.
“There is no match to beauty in Kashmir. People are also hospitable. The visit of the tourists to Kashmir is always memorable,” said Mir.
He also said that State government had developed many other equally beautiful spots like Mansabal, Doodhpatri, Yousmarg, Aharbal, Kokarnag, Achabal, Dekshu, Sinthan Pass.
“We have natural beauty and you should not miss to visit Kashmir,” he said.
Mir added that tourist inflow to Kashmir increased from 30000 in 2002 to around 20 lakh tourists in 2012.
“Now tourists are coming in large numbers and environment is peaceful and state government is also building the requisite infrastructure for your stays,” he informed.
The tourism minister also assured the tour operators that state government would take up the issue of rising air fare on Kashmir route during the peak season.
“During peak season, the airlines hike the prices of air tickets uptp Rs 30000 which badly affects our tourism. Tourists prefer to move to Europen and Middle East countries than to Kashmir due to the steep rise in air fares. We will meet civil aviation ministry and the airlines also to keep the airfarepredictable,” Mir said while addressing media persons here at Kochi where J&K tourism departmentand tour operators participated in the 29th Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) Convention.
He also offered to host the 30th Convention in Srinagar which much fanfare.
“We don’t have five star hotels like you have here, but whatever we have we assure you that we will make your state in Kashmir most memorable. If we are economically week but we have big heart to welcome you,” said Mir delivering an emotion speech to motivate tour operators for selling Kashmir.
He said Tourism Department is organsing a Saffron Festival from Oct 15 to Oct 30 where tourists can see saffron blooms and experience the plucking of saffron from flowers in world famous saffron fields of Pampore.
President IATO Subhash Goyal also appealed the tour operators to promote Kashmir for tourism.
“I tell you there is no place on earth as beautiful as Kashmir. You should sell Kashmir in your packages,” he said.
Goyal also announced that IATO would hold its Executive Committee meeting at Srinagar besides looking into organizing IATO Convention in Kashmir.
Chairman IATO-JK Chapter Abdul Khaliq Wangnoo expressed satisfaction over the participation of the J&K travel agents in the Convention.
He said participation of the tour operators from J&K has proved fruitful as many travel agents vowed to market the state.
Earlier, on morning of the first day of the convention, IATO organized run for responsible tourism in which J&K bagged first position as a travel agent from Ladkah Konchok Sharab finished first.
The media interaction with J&K tourism in Kochi was facilitated by Khyber Himalayan Resort and Spa.
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http://www.risingkashmir.in/29th-iato-convention-concludes/
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