Jahangir Sofi
Srinagar, Jun 11: With the Covid-19 positive graph in the valley showing decreasing trend, tourism department Kashmir, after the inoculation drive for the stakeholders and capacity building measure programs, is now focusing to introduce city bus and helicopter services for the tourists.
In a meeting today which was chaired by Commissioner Secretary Tourism Sarmad Hafeez along with the other officials and various tour operators discussed various ideas for diversifying the tourism potential in the valley.
Director Tourism Kashmir, Dr. G. N. Itoo said that a meeting was held today at SKICC with various tour operators in which various ideas were discussed to enhance the tourism potential in the valley.
“Ideas like City Tour Bus service were discussed, where the tourists can be taken to historic Jamai Masjid, shrines in the downtown,” he said. “The introduction of Helicopter service from Srinagar to other tourist destinations in the valley was also discussed.”
A senior representative from the United Tourism Forum (UTF) said that among the discussions, starting of Helicopter service was also discussed.
“The tourism department discussed starting the service from Srinagar to different tourist destinations in the valley, like Pahalgam, Sonemarg, Gulmarg, Gureez and springs on the high altitudes,” he said.
“The on-going vaccination drive was also discussed during the meeting and the stress was given to ensure that the people who have direct interface with the tourists, should be vaccinated on priority including the cab drivers associated with the tourism industry,” he said.
Those who were part of the meeting include, Director Tourism Kashmir, MD JK Cable Car Corporation, MD JKTDC, Director SKICC, Additional Secretary Tourism, CEOs of all tourism development authorities of Kashmir division. Jammu based tourism officers also attended the meeting through virtual mode.
