Hotel Association of India (HAI) has expressed steadfast support to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir for the revival of tourism. Speaking at the recently concluded India Global Week, KB Kachru, Vice President, HAI and Chairman Emeritus and Principal Advisor South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group called on investors to consider J&K for their new ventures citing quick developments and assuring good returns based on promising infrastructure and tools in the Union Territory.
The India Global Week 2020 was recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and witnessed the presence of several luminaries from across the country and the world coming together to discuss the India Revival Strategy.
Focusing on Tourism in these unsettling and unpredictable times, Kachru said, “Tourism is a real springboard for giving a major thrust to overall economy particularly in J&K. There is a need to think of some quick wins for survival and revival. Fact remains that J&K and tourism are inseparable. It has established and known multiple destinations for leisure, adventure and religious places. Hospitality is in Kashmiri blood; Kashmir has the capability of becoming a challenge to established world known destinations in the world. As Prime Minister Modi said in his inaugural address, we need to kill the existing anxiety and use this adversity as an opportunity.”
Calling for support from the Central and State Government, Kachru said, “Given that investment friendly policies are being set, key players need to have a steady hand on the wheel. Infrastructure development is the need. We need to identify new destinations and create easy accessibility. Moreover, the Government needs to continue to listen and handhold stakeholders at this time of crisis starting with those operating businesses, hotels, houseboats, and transporters. The government must take care of the workforce. In the long run, policy reforms will be needed.”
Kachru, on behalf the Hotel Association of India made some sharp suggestions to attract investments and for the revival of the sector including:
• Long-term Tourism development plan.
• Declare Tourism as an industry and accord all infrastructure benefits
• Creating Tourism Zones, clusters and new destinations with incentives
• Recognise and support existing stakeholders
• Special incentives and approvals
The session “Revival of Tourism in Jammu & Kashmir” saw a high-powered panel with Girish Chandra Murmu, Lieutenant Governor, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, Commissioner Secretary, Jammu & Kashmir representing the Administration along with leading entrepreneurs from the region Farooq Amin, CEO, Kanwal Foods & Spices, Vikrant Kuthila, Director, R B Jodhamal Bishan Lal Hotel & Resorts, Amit Wanchoo, CEO, Space Communications and Sanjay Puri, Managing Director, PBI India.
