Noted hotelier and chairman Mushtaq group of hotels, Mushtaq Ahmad Chaya was re-elected as chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Hoteliers Club at its annual general meeting here.
Speaking on the occasion, Chaya thanked the members of the club and assured them of his full cooperation in promotion of Kashmir tourism.Chaya stated that the tourism is an important constituent of state’s economy and hoteliers as stakeholders have to play an important role in the development of this sector which, he said, would in turn give fillip to overall economy of the state.
He stated that the government led by Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed is keen in promoting Kashmir’s tourism sector and post-floods the CM has personally visited the outside destinations to dispel notion about situation in Kashmir.
“However, this year there was less footfall of visitors but we have to try and do our best so that people come here and enjoy the beauty of the Valley,” Chaya said, adding that the Hotelier club would continue to pitch for seeking Industrial benefits for the tourism sector.
Chaya hailed the efforts of the fellow hoteliers for working tirelessly for the development of the tourism sector.
He said that despite slump in tourism trade this year, hoteliers are doing their best to maintain their properties and provide hospitable services to the tourists.
He urged the tourism players to explore the untapped tourism destinations.
Apart from Chaya, the other office bearers of the Hotelier Club who were elected are: Riyaz Ahmad Shahdad, senior vice chairman, Amit Amla, junior vice chairman, Tariq Rashid Ghani Secretary General, Latief Ahmad, Joint Secretary General and Nasir Ahmad as Treasurer.
Minister for Roads and Buildings, Syed AltafBukhari was chief guest and Ambassador of republic of Thailand, ChalitManityakul was guest at the AGM.
While addressing the hoteliers during valedictory function, Bukhari said that government is committed to restore the glory of tourism sector.
“On the orders of CM we have macadamized all the roads leading to tourism destinations. Now journey to Pahalgam from Srinagar takes only 2 hours as the road has been fully blacktopped,” he said while addressing the hoteliers.
Bukhari hailed hotelier for their resilience. “Despite less occupancy they are putting up brave face which is encouraging,” he said, adding that the government is committed to promote tourism sector and make Kashmir top tourism destination of the country.
Ambassador of republic of Thailand, ChalitManityakul on the occasion highlighted similarities between tourism in India and Thailand.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Hotelier Club felicitated Narendra Singh with life time award for his role in the tourism sector. Singh is the owner of Hotel Pahalgam.
The AGM was attended by representatives of various associations. Those present on the occasion include president KCCI, Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, president FCIK, Muhammad Ashraf, President KTMF, Muhammad Yaseen Khan, President KHARA, ShowkatChowdhary, President TASK, Muhammad Ibrahim Siah and others.
