The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the state government to ensure operation of night flights at Srinagar International Airport, while maintaining that the undue increase in airfares hits Kashmir tourism as well as general public.
A press handout issued by the KCCI here states that a delegation of the chamber led by its president, Mushtaq Ahmad Wani had detailed discussion with the Principal Secretary Tourism Sandeep Nayak.
“We stressed on the demand for operation of night flights at Srinagar Airport,” Wani said adding that besides this various issues pertaining to the tourism sector were discussed in detail.
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry pressed for holding of weeklong Tourism Promotion events in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra wherefrom a major chunk of domestic tourists visit Kashmir.
KCCI also raised the issue of increase of airfares during the tourist season and sought Government intervention in this regard, the handout said.
“During the peak season, the tickets are sold at exorbitant prices. This practice, apart from adversely affecting the tourism sector, also makes travel by air prohibitive for the general public.
“In this regard, it is suggested that the Government should block a particular number of seats so that the same could be released during the season. This intervention would go a long way in ensuring the airfares are kept under control,” it said.
It states that others issues discussed in the interaction were: Issuance of order regarding exemption of Service Tax on lodging; formulation of clear policy on Chartered Flights; maximum capitalization from schemes for the Tourism Sector announced in the Union Budget 2016.
The chamber sought operation of special holiday trains, uninterrupted Power Supply at places of tourist interest; allowance for tourist vehicles to travel on National Highway during closure on account of durbar move.
It states that tourism sector be treated at par with the industrial sector with regard to the Power tariff and other incentives.
