Chief Secy for adopting multi-pronged strategy to boost tourism
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday chaired a meeting of all stakeholders, including tourism players, from Jammu to seek their suggestions for optimal utilisation of tourism potential of this region especially in the wake of nearly one crore pilgrims visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine (SMVDS) in Katra.
Those who attended the meeting included Principal Secretary, Finance; Commissioner Secretary, Tourism; Secretary, PWD; CEO, SMVDSB; DC, Jammu; DC, Reasi; MD, JKTDC; Director Tourism, Jammu; and other officers of the department.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary sought suggestions from the representatives of hoteliers, transporters and other tourism players about the ways and means to attract these pilgrims coming to this shrine to other religious or tourism destinations spread across the region.
Dulloo said that the tourism players too had a role to play in promoting places in and around Jammu. He suggested them to come up with concrete suggestions and plans for each destination. He advised them to frame two, three or four-day packages based upon the potential of each place.
He further asked them to look into a mix of activities in each package including spiritual, eco-tourism, leisure, cuisine, culture and adventurous aspects. He enjoined upon them to offer several baskets along with Vaishno Devi pilgrimage so that people are able to choose as per their inclination.
The Chief Secretary also urged them to look for creation of a lot of promotional content as “we have different success stories to guide us”. He maintained that the continuous uploading of content over social media besides other promotional campaigns is definitely going to bear fruit over time.
He committed that the government would extend all kind of support to realise the objectives. He added that a plan for each season should be ready for joint promotion of the same with active support of the Tourism Department.
Dulloo also underscored the need for having better infrastructure and amenities at all these sites. He told them that the government would be forthcoming to invest more funds in any of the projects required at these sites.
