Omar Abdullah Seeks Stakeholders Help To Regain J&K As Premier Tourism Hub

By Deepak Arora

SRINAGAR, July 1: Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has emphasized that it is the collective responsibility of the government and tourism stakeholders to ensure that Jammu & Kashmir regains and retains its position as the country’s premier tourism hub.

Delivering his inaugural address at the Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Revival Dialogue conference, Omar Abdullah said “It is binding on us to do everything in our power to bring back Jammu & Kashmir to the top of the country’s tourism map, and keep it there.”

While reaffirming J&K's as one of India’s most iconic travel destinations, the Chief Minister also underlined renewed efforts on connectivity, experience enhancement and destination diversification.

The Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Revival Dialogue was jointly organized by the J&K Tourism Department and FICCI. It concluded successfully last Friday at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), Srinagar.

Reflecting on recent challenges, including the unfortunate Pahalgam incident, the Chief Minister highlighted the resilience of the tourism sector and reiterated the government’s commitment to broadening tourism’s footprint.

Omar Abdullah announced the rollout of "Project SPREAD", which will focus on developing nine new destinations across Jammu & Kashmir, supported by multilateral agencies.

Key areas discussed at the dialogue included:

* Strengthening infrastructure and last-mile connectivity
* Developing circuits around film tourism, weddings, golf, and MICE
* Investment facilitation and industry-government partnerships
* Promotion of pilgrimage, border, rural, and adventure tourism
* Enhanced skill development and community-led models

The event witnessed participation from senior government officials, legislators, hospitality leaders, travel trade professionals, investors, and representatives from the film and wedding industries.

Dignitaries who attended the conference included Advisor to CM Nasir Aslam Wani; Commissioner Secretary Tourism Ms Yasha Mudgal; Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Past President, FICCI; Mentor, FICCI Tourism Committee FICCI and CMD, The LaLit Suri Hospitality Group; Mushtaq Ahmed Burza, Chairman, FICCI Jammu & Kashmir State Council; D P Singh, Chairman SARA Group; Rajan Sehgal, Chairman of the Golf Tourism Committee, FICCI and President IGTA; and several MLAs and stakeholders.

A few of the sitting MLAs who attended the conference included Farooq Ahmed Shah, Mian Mehar Ali, Altaf Ahmad Wani, Tanvir Sadiq and Salman Sagar.

The Chief Minister also launched the book ‘Golfing in Paradise’ by Atul Dhir, showcasing Kashmir’s potential as a golf tourism haven.

Glimpses Of Dinner At Lalit

FICCI reaffirmed its commitment to support the tourism revival efforts in the region through ongoing industry collaboration, investment promotion, and curated engagement platforms.

In his welcome address, Mushtaq Ahmed Burza, Chairman, FICCI Jammu & Kashmir State Council, said the conference’s motive was revival of tourism and build trust for the safety of tourists.

Simultaneously, the conference also shared views on developing a Himalayan IT/ITES hub in Jammu & Kashmir and creating new job opportunities for the educated youth.

Glimses of Dinner At Fortune Resort Heevan, Srinagar

"We must and also need to embark on initiatives to unleash our women power. Our girls are equally educated to get to new heights with our strong cultural values," said Mushtaq Ahmed Burza.

Rajan Sehgal, Chairman of the Golf Tourism Committee, FICCI, moderated the inaugural and later panel sessions. Rajan Sehgal said the main objective of the conference was to bring back confidence among the travellers.

Later, a panel discussion was held on "J&K Tourism: Unlocking New Frontiers – MICE, Weddings, Golf, Films & Beyond." The objecive was to explore the emerging opportunities and strategic potential of Jammu & Kashmir as a multi-dimensional tourism destination.

Next day, a golf tournament "Golfing in Paradise" was held at the picturesque Royal Springs Golf Course, Srinagar. As many as 60 golfers from different parts of the country participated in the tournament. The event was organized by Sara Group.

On Friday, Dr. Jyotsna Suri hosted a dinner for the visiting delegates and participants at The Lalit Grand Palace Srinagar.

On Saturday, Mushtaq Ahmed Burza hosted a lunch for the golfers at the Royal Spring golf course and a dinner at the ITC Fortune Resort Heevan, Srinagar, for the delegates and the participants of the tourism conclave.