Ather Yameen Narwari, Chairman, TAAI J&K Chapter
Initiatives
We participated in a Model G20 Summit hosted by the Department of Tourism, Government of Jammu & Kashmir in Srinagar. The opening ceremony was presided over by Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary, Tourism and Culture, J&K Government. In a recent meeting with tourism secretary Syed Abid Rasheed Shah in Srinagar, we raised the issue of the cancellation of Go Air tickets. The consultation meeting witnessed active participation from a wide range of stakeholders.
Challenges
Professional manpower is lacking in Kashmir’s tourism and hospitality sector. Hotels and good restaurants do not have good service-oriented staff. The Government should emphasize this and create more workforce in this sector. The tourism department should run programmes for youths who can work in the hospitality and travel trade sector as short courses.
J&K’s tourism department should know that there are two unique selling products in Kashmir which are houseboats and Shikara, therefore the department must come out with a policy to promote and encourage these unique houseboats and Shikara.
