Tag Archives: Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu & Kashmir’s gets its first-ever open-air floating on the Dal Lake. The theatre was inaugurated by J&K chief secretary Arun Kumar Mehta, and is aimed at attracting more tourists to the region. On this occasion, a Shikara rally, adorned with shining lights passed through Nehru Park to Kabootar Khana with local artists singing and dancing to Kashmiri songs which entertained guests and passersby. Old Indian film ‘Kashmir ki Kali’ was screened during the festival.

A three-team delegation from the Department of Tourism, Jammu & Kashmir Govt was in Mumbai recently to meet with key tour operators as well as members from the film fraternity. Dr G N Itoo, Director Tourism, said, “We are here to build confidence among the trade and promote little-known destinations in the UT that are as beautiful. As things reopen, we will look at conducting roadshows as well. “

Jammu & Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik reconstituted the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) for a period of three years with immediate effect on February 5, 2019. Malik, who is also chairman of SMVDSB, nominated chairman of emeritus of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group K B Kachru, former IPS officer Ashok Bhan, Justice Permod Kohli, Major General Shiv Kumar Sharma, spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, renowned educationist Vijay Dhar and chairman-cum-managing director of AIMIL Pharmaceuticals K K Sharma as board members. Source: PTI

Rigzin Samphel, Secretary—Tourism, Jammu & Kashmir, recenty chaired a review meeting to finalise the arrangements for Jammu Mahotsav 2019 set to be held from February 8-10. Samphel instructed the tourism department to work in coordination with other departments to mobilise maximum participation of people for making the festival a grand success. He asked the concerned to showcase the natural beauty and landscape, diverse culture, art and craft, cuisine and music to attract tourists during the festival. He also asked the tourism department to encourage the local tour operators, hoteliers and guest house owners to develop network with the best tour operators of the country to invite tourists for the festival and the upcoming tourist season.

Sarovar Hotels and Resorts has signed Viraj Sarovar Portico, Jammu, the brand’s second hotel in Jammu & Kashmir after RK Sarovar Portico, Srinagar. Set to be operational in mid-2019, the property will offer 45 designed rooms with contemporary amenities and extensive banquet facilities for up to 5000 guests. The property is located in the epicentre of corporate, educational and industrial areas of Bari Brahmana. In close proximity to Jammu Airport and railway station, the hotel is designed with keeping modern travellers in mind. The facilities include car parking for more than 300 cars, gymnasium, spa, bar and an outdoor swimming pool. Commenting on the development, Anil Madhok, Executive Chairman, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, said, “This announcement is aligned with our strategy of expanding and driving growth across all emerging destinations. Jammu is the nearest airport for connecting to Vaishno Devi, one of the most revered pilgrimage destinations in North India and we are delighted to serve the needs of the travellers, with a hotel offering best-in-class facilities and services in Jammu.”

During the recently-concluded 3rd Skål International India National Congress in Kolkata, Ranjini Nambiar, President, Skål International India has announced the commencement of three new Skål clubs by April 2019. “We are planning to come up with a new Skål club in Jammu & Kashmir, Coimbatore and Bhubaneswar. There is also a possibility of a club in Vizag as well. We are aiming a total of 20 Skål clubs by 2020.” Skål International Asia Area Congress 2019 will be held in Bengaluru from June 27-30, 2019.  

TAAI’s limited edition convention in Srinagar has gathered keen interest from the trade. “Within 24 hours of opening registration, we received over 100 forms. Registrations for the TAAI Convention opened on February 19 and more than 200 delegates have already confirmed their participation. The hotels are in huge demand,” confirms Sunil R. Kumar, President, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI). Set to be held from March 27-30, 2018, the TAAI Convention is being organised in association with the Ministry of Tourism, Jammu & Kashmir with a view to promote a more visible J&K and its outstanding attributes that extensively support tourism and culture.

Adding another pilgrimage destination to its portfolio, Sarovar Hotels has signed two hotels in Katra, Jammu & Kashmir, namely, The Vaishnodevi Sarovar Portico and Shri Vaishnodevi Sarovar Portico. Both the hotels complement Sarovar’s existing hotel RK Sarovar Portico, Srinagar. Sarovar is already present in the pilgrimage destinations of Badrinath, Amritsar, Haridwar, Vrindavan and Tirupati. Designed as per the brand characteristics of a Sarovar Portico hotel, The Vaishnodevi Sarovar Portico offers a stunning view of the holy Trikuta Mountains while Shri Vaishnodevi Sarovar Portico enjoy excellent access to all key tourist attractions and is strategically located close to the railway station. Commenting on the development, Anil Madhok, Executive Chairman, Sarovar Hotels, says, “We are delighted to be signing a deal in yet another pilgrim destination. With Jammu and Kashmir emerging as one of our key markets, we look forward to further growth and increased traffic contribution from our hotels here. We will continue to focus on our expansion and also strengthen our position as we look to spread farther across North India.”

The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) is hosting its much-awaited annual convention from March 27-29, 2018 in Srinagar. The event is being organised in association with the Ministry of Tourism, Jammu & Kashmir with a view to promote a more visible J&K and its outstanding attributes that extensively support tourism and culture. A press conference will be held on the same at The Claridges, New Delhi on January 31. The guests presiding over the event would include Tassaduq Hussain, Minister of Tourism, Jammu & Kashmir; Sarmad Hafeez, IAS, Secretary Tourism, Government of Jammu & Kashmir and Mehmood Ahmad Shah (KAS), Director Tourism, Government of Jammu & Kashmir.

In a bid to tap the South Indian market, the Department of Tourism, Jammu & Kashmir organised a familiarisation tour for the travel agents from Chennai and Bengaluru who visited Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Yusmarg and Srinagar city. The department is planning an aggressive marketing campaign, including roadshows and seminars in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka this month to counter negative media publicity which has affected tourist flow to Kashmir. The hosted travel agents were all praises for the hospitality they experienced during their visit to the state. The visit included recce to budget, high-end properties and houseboats, the valley’s main USP. Source: UNI