Why J&K Tourism lags far behind Kerala and Gujarat?

In 2017, a record 10 million foreign tourists visited India. As many as 103 million domestic tourists visited the picnic spots and health resorts within India, the same year. The hospitality sector contributes 6.88 percent to India’s GDP and is estimated to earn 27 billion dollars, the next year. It was the Incredible India campaign launched by Government of India in 2002 that helped India pitch itself as a high-end destination. In fiscal 2017-198, Ministry of Tourism spent Rs 300 crore to promote the campaign on various media. Central Tourism…

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Revising Tourism Marketing Targets

M.Ashraf The 64th Convention of the Travel agents Association of India has just concluded in Srinagar. The Convention was attended by over 600 delegates from all over the country. The Convention was held in Srinagar after 31 years. A large number of delegates came from South India including Kerala, known as “God’s Own Country”. The delegates including some top doyens of Travel, Hospitality, Airline and Travel media such as Aditya Gosh, CEO, Indigo Airlines; Nukul Anand, CEO, ITC Hotels; Kapil Kak, CEO, CAPA; Yossi Fatael, Vice-President UFTAA; Rodeney D’Cruz, Assistant…

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Tourist sector gets a jolt due to sudden spike in violence

A sudden spike in the level of violence in Kashmir on Sunday has cast a shadow on the tourism industry, which was hoping for increased footfall of holidaymakers. As the region witnessed a sudden bout of protests and a record high death toll on Sunday, it has caused scare among tourists who came face to face with the turbulent situation. Several tourists, who had planned to holiday for several days, cancelled their stay in the region and rushed home. The deterioration of the law and order situation after Sunday’s multiple…

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TAAI dwells on high Airfares, Tourist Security

Delegates address impediments to tourism sector Even as the ongoing Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) convention has brought fresh ideas and insights to the local stakeholders, the delegates also took up contentious issues facing the Valley’s tourism sector. Besides its routine business, the convention, which is being held here after a gap of three decades, also talked of measures to address the stumbling blocks to the growth of local tourism, especially security concerns of tourists and soaring airfares in the peak season. Universal Federation of Travel Agents Association (UFTAA)…

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Undo negative perception about Kashmir: Tassaduq Mufti

The negative impression about Jammu and Kashmir needs to be changed so that tourism regains its old glory in the state, Tourism Minister Mufti Tassaduq Hussain said on Tuesday. Addressing the media after inaugurating the 64th convention of Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), the Minister said tourism had to grow in Kashmir simultaneously with an awareness on environment and ecology. “We have been polluting our rivers and lakes. This trend has to be reversed immediately so that environmental awareness keeps pace with the development of the tourist industry in…

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Tulip Garden thrown open for tourists, draws large crowds

The new-look Tulip Garden located in the foothills of the Zabarwan range overlooking the Dal Lake was thrown open to visitors on Sunday. Even as the garden opened with added attractions, including a fountain channel and hyacinth terrace, the beauty of myriad tulip varieties was also streamed live through drone cameras on the social media. And as the garden bustled with visitors on the opening day, causing traffic jams in the vicinity, stakeholders remain hopeful that it will augur well for the tourism sector. “We had actively promoted the Tulip…

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Free Wifi, other facilities at Tulip Garden this year

Visitors to Asia’s largest Tulip Garden on the banks of Dal Lake here can enjoy free wi-fi access, in addition to many other new facilities, when the garden opens to public later this month. The Tulip garden will be thrown open to public on March 25. “With the need of staying connected increasing by the day, the floriculture department, in collaboration with the BSNL, is providing free wi-fi connectivity to visitors,” Floriculture Director Mathoora Masoom told PTI. Masoom said several other initiatives have been taken to make the visitors, a…

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Hyacinth terrace, fountain new attractions at Tulip Garden

Even as Tulip Garden is all set to open its doors to the public later this month, a new hyacinth terrace and fountain channel will be the added attractions at the famed tourist spot this spring season. The garden, which is located in the foothills of the Zabarwan range overlooking the Dal Lake, may also open ahead of schedule with around 1.2 million different flower varieties. “This year’s added attraction will be the new hyacinth terrace having five to six varieties of the flower. Visitors will also see a fountain…

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Kashmir Calling: Hoteliers slash rates by 30% across Kashmir Valley

The hoteliers of the Kashmir valley have announced 30 per cent discount for the intending tourists for the coming spring and summer seasons. A Tourism Department official today said the announcement was made during a seminar organised jointly by the department and the Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Owners’ Federation (KHAROF) in Kolkata. KHAROF president Abdul Wahid Malik said their body had 600 members and the discount was being offered in an effort to boost tourist arrivals to the Valley. “We are announcing 30 per cent rebate on our tariffs so…

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Kashmir is the safest place, say women travelers

From joy rides on snow scooters to shopping in a floating market in the scenic Dal Lake, Kashmir has it all to make it ‘the safest place and a shopping paradise’, according to a group of women travelers from Hyderabad, who are out on an expedition to Jammu and Kashmir. Keeping aside the insecurities arising after continuous violence in the state, the women travelers visited Srinagar, including Gulmarg and Pahalgam. “I have been here and knew all the media stories on Kashmir are overplayed which creates fear among travelers,” Rashida…

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