The Directorate of Tourism, Jammu, celebrated the 41st World Tourism Day across local destinations like Suchetgarh Border, Katra and Bhimgarh Fort

The Directorate of Tourism, Jammu, celebrated the 41st World Tourism Day across destinations such as Suchetgarh Border, Katra, Bhimgarh Fort, Reasi, Mansar, Patnitop, Kishtwar, Basholi and Poonch with active participation of various stakeholders like tour and travel organisations, hotel associations and taxi union.

The main function was organised at Suchetgarh Border in collaboration with the senior officers of the 36 Battalion of BSF, where RK Katoch, Director Tourism, Jammu, was the chief guest. Representatives of different organisations deliberated upon various issues being faced by the tourism sector in view of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. The stakeholders strongly extended their commitment towards the cause of the tourism development in Jammu Division of J&K UT.

Anil Kumar Chandail, Dy. Director Tourism, Publicity, Jammu, gave a detailed overview of the tourism sector and necessary interventions, which need to be put in place for better revival of the tourism sector. He explained the importance of the sector, its revival in view of the ongoing pandemic and the need to widen its horizon to the rural areas for focussing on the preservation of socio-cultural heritage, values and traditions. He added that the definition of tourism is not restricted to leisure trips only but has got diversified by including people for exchanging the values and traditions, which could help in the development of rural tourism. Several stakeholders from tour and travel associations — BB Kotwal, Anchal Singh — spoke on the occasion.

The highlights of the function were colourful cultural programme presenting the rich Dogra, Bhaderwahi, Punjabi culture and pledge on ‘Dekho Apna Desh’.

Earlier, the Divisional Commissioner and Director Tourism of Jammu, flagged-off the “Garud Sewa, an open roof tourist luxury bus” with the slogan — Chalo Suchetgarh Border. This new initiative of running a luxury bus from TRC, Jammu to Suchetgarh Border is part of the Border Tourism initiative taken by Jammu Paryatan headed by Baldev Khullar and Gian Sharma. The 27-seater is a sight-seeing bus and first-of-its-kind in Jammu Division. The bus shall run on daily basis from Jammu at around 10.30 am towards Suchetgarh Border for sightseeing. Other destinations covered enroute are Gharana Wetland where migratory birds from various parts of the world visit. While concluding the event, the Director Tourism, Jammu, thanked the BSF authorities for their valuable coordination.

At Katra, the function started with enthusiasm by flagging off bike rally by CO, CRPF Jatinder Gupta, President Municipal Committee, Katra, Vimal Indu, Joint Director Tourism, Jammu, Neelam Khajuria and ASP, Katra, Amit Bhasin. It concluded at Bhimgarh Fort, Reasi. A total of 50 bikers participated in the event. A few mesmerising performances were presented by local dogri artists at Bhimgarh Fort. A small 3D animated film was also showcased to the audience on the history and importance of Bhimgarh Fort and General Zorawar Singh.

At Patnitop, a seminar was organised jointly by the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu, the Patnitop Development Authority and Patnitop Hotels Association. On the occasion, the chief guest was executive engineer, PDA, KK Gupta and Assistant Director Tourism, National Highway, Dr Umesh Shan. They enlightened the stakeholders about the importance and history of the world tourism day. The Community Health Worker also educated the members about the “dos and don’ts” for Coronavirus. Lastly, Taxi shikar walas were given away registration certificates and some prominent local hoteliers, tour and travel agents were felicitated with appreciation certificates.

At Basholi, the World Tourism Day was celebrated by the CEO, Lakhanpur-Sarthal Development Authority, DC Bhatti with Block Medical Officer, Basholi. The CEO, LSDA, presented a lecture on the importance of tourism to the stakeholders, while the BMO, Basholi, highlighted the importance of preventive measures to be taken during the pandemic. Approximately, 200 wall clocks, caps and shirts were also distributed to the participants for mass awareness about tourism.

At Poonch, it was held at Jallian Loran with great enthusiasm. People appreciated the initiative taken by the tourism department.  The event was presided by CEO, Poonch Development Authority, Dr Tanvir Ahmed Khan besides BDC Chairman, Block Mandi Shamim Ganai as guest of honour. During the programme, various Centrally-UT sponsored schemes of the Government were highlighted. Department also distributed calendar, information material, sceneries and masks to the general public.

At Mansar, the Surinsar-Mansar Development Authority celebrated the day in coordination with Directorate of Tourism, Jammu, wherein the CEO, Surinsar-Mansar Development Authority, highlighted the achievements of the authority. During the event, the participants/stakeholders were also made aware about salient features of Tourist Trade Act, 1978. The members of Panchayat Mansar and Bari Garh/stakeholders thanked Dr Jatinder Singh MOS (Independent charge) Ministry of Development of Northern Region and Minister of State for PMO Office for initiating the DPRs of the “Comprehensive Mansar Development Plan” at an estimated cost of `198 crore, which was prepared by the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu.

At Kishtwar, the occasion was celebrated with theme “Tourism and Rural Development”. Tree plantation drive was also organised in TRC Kishtwar under “Green J&K Drive” in coordination with the forest department. Hanief Malik (KAS), DDC Kishtwar, was the chief guest who started the event by planting the deodar saplings.