Need for capacity building of tourism stakeholders: Sarmad Hafeez

Srinagar, Feb 19: The four day capacity building programme for tourism stakeholders concluded here Saturday.
The programme was jointly organized by the Department of Tourism and University of Kashmir in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Tourism.
Secretary, Tourism & Culture, Sarmad Hafeez was the chief guest on the valedictory function of the programme who distributed certificates and rewards among the participant tourism stakeholders.
Academicians from the University and officers from Tourism Department besides stakeholders were present in the inaugural function.
Addressing the stakeholders, Sarmad Hafeez underscored the need for capacity building of tourism stakeholders, particularly in the post Covid scenario. He said in the changed environment of global pandemic, trade practices have undergone a change and the same should be factored in while conducting day to day businesses.
The Tourism Secretary reminded the stakeholders of age-old traditions of hospitality and fair practice and advised them to stick to these if they want to maintain the edge among the competing tourism markets in the country. He hoped with today’s capacity building programme, the stakeholders would be benefitted in terms of latest trade practices followed elsewhere in the world, post Covid precautions and the traditional courtesies the place has been known world over.
Director, Tourism, Kashmir, Dr. G N Itoo in his concluding remarks hoped the programme would go a long way in instilling confidence among stakeholders who have suffered during the Covid period.
Dean Research, University of Kashmir, Prof. Irshad Nawchoo also addressed the valedictory function.
During the four day programme experts from relevant fields sensitized the participants about the latest practices and precautions in the trade in the wake of Covid pandemic and economic sluggishness of the past two years or so.
This is the first of a series of capacity building programmes being organized by the Tourism Department for skill enhancement of tourism stakeholders at various destinations across Kashmir.