Adtoi Delegation's Visit to Kashmir on Fam Tour
{ 7th To 11th April 2004 }

It is an accepted fact that winds of change are sweeping over the State of Jammu & Kashmir and a new beginning has been made by the present Government headed by Mr. Mufti Mohammed Sayeed who is fully committed for promotion of tourism in the State. Tourist traffic to the valley has increased substantially over the years and many important events have also taken place there.

Pursuant to an interactive session held between the Hon'ble Chief Minister J & K, Shri Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and the representatives of Trade Associations in late 2002 to revive tourism in the valley keeping in view the normal and conducive atmosphere prevailing in the State, ADTOI received an invitation from the Director General J & K Tourism inviting its members to visit Kashmir and see for themselves the preparedness of the state authorities to welcome the tourists to the valley.

Accordingly an ADTOI delegation comprising of 16 members some with their families and children visited Kashmir (Srinagar, Pahalgham and Gulmarg) from 7th to 11th April 2004 on a FAM tour jointly organized by the Department of Tourism J & K, Travel Agents Society of Kashmir, members of TAAI J & K Chapter and members of IATO in Kashmir. To facilitate their travel to and fro between Delhi & Srinagar by air, JET AIRWAYS keeping in view the purpose of the visit - promotion of the valley - extended their generous support by offering AD 75 and AD 50 to the delegation. ADTOI is greatly indebted to Mr. Navaid Desai, Area Manager (North India) Jet Airways for making the tour possible.

ADTOI, a National Body of Domestic Tour Operators, is committed to promotion of domestic tourism in the country. It is our moral duty to support all State Governments in their endeavors to promote tourism, particularly J & K Govt, where tourism got a severe set back for the last many years and tourism has been the mainstay of the economy of the people and the State .

ADTOI delegation led by its President, Mr. Jyoti Kapur left Delhi by Jet Airway flight on 7th April. The delegation was accorded a warm welcome at the airport by the Secretary General of Travel Agents Society of Kashmir (TASK) Shri Feroze Khan. Members were taken to Nagin Lake where stay was arranged for two nights in Deluxe House boats. In the evening a meeting was arranged with Hon'ble Chief Minister, Shri Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. The meeting was attended by Shri Saleem A. Beg the Director General J & K Tourism, Mr. Nazir Bakshi, Chairman, J & K Chapter of TAAI, Mr. G.R. Siah, President TASK. DG J & K Tourism explained about the various measures taken by the State to revive tourism in the valley and requested the members to work towards the promotion of tourism in Kashmir.

Hon'ble Chief Minister was very happy to see the delegation specially with families and children participating in the promotional tour. He explained about the improved infrastructure facilities created at various places for the benefits of the tourists. He cited the example of children's park at Pahalgham which will be opened to tourist in the coming season. Mr. Jyoti Kapur, President, ADTOI assured the Ho'ble Chief Minister of their members' fullest support in promoting the valley as the major tourist destination of all times among the domestic tourists. Mr. Nazir Bakshi, Chairman, TAAI J & K Chapter called upon the members to activate interest in Kashmir, amongst the people of North who are very resourceful & rich and could visit all the year round. ADTOI members thanked the Hon'ble Chief Minister for sparing his valuable time from his hectic schedule to meet and bless the delegation.

Grand Inter-Continental hosted a dinner on 7th April in honor of the visiting delegation.

On 8th the delegation visited of Mughl Gardens and Hotel Broadway hosted lunch for them. In the evening a meet was arranged between ADTOI members and members of TASK, TAAI J & K Chapter, IATO members in Kashmir and other trade people at SKICC. The meeting was presided by Mr. G.R. Siah, President, TASK and Mr. Nazir Bakshi, Chairman, TAAI J & K Chapter.

Mr. Siah in his address welcomed the ADTOI delegation and thanked them for undertaking the promotional tour to promote the valley which has already started reviving. He informed the members that with the normal conditions prevailing in the State the arrival of tourists to the valley has increased manifold over the years. He appealed to all members to bring awareness and build confidence among the countrymen to visit and see Kashmir at its best all the year round. He introduced his counterparts in the trade to members of ADTOI and requested to have one to one interaction to work out modalities in achieving the common goals.

Mr. Nazir Bakshi in his address thanked the President, Vice President and the General Secretary and all other members present for visiting Kashmir on a promotional tour. He stated that Kashmir has been the global destination in the past. Unfortunately for the last 15 years the industry has suffered to a great extent. The present Government has taken initiative in providing infrastructure facilities in the State and people can look for a different Kashmir sometime from now. He informed that the valley is visited by tourists round the year from all parts of the country and majority of visitors are from Maharashtra and Gujarat.

ADTOI being a national body of domestic tour operators he appealed to the members to enlighten and educate people in other parts specially those in North having great resources about the great potential Kashmir has for tourists keeping view the prevailing conditions in the State which the delegation has seen for themselves and promote among the countrymen as tourism has been the main stay of the people of the State. He appealed that ADTOI should take up the matter with Ministry of Tourism & Culture and Civil Aviation to increase more flights to Srinagar and reduce the fare structure to encourage more people to visit the valley.

Mr. Jyoti Kapur, President in his address thanked the Office Bearers of TASK and its members, Chairman TAAI J & K Chapter, and other trade people present in the meeting for inviting ADTOI on a promotional tour which was the need of the hour in promoting tourism in the valley. He stated that Kashmir is not a new destination for the people of India and abroad. The valley is a paradise on earth and a destination for all ages and for all seasons. He narrated the role of ADTOI and assured the TASK members and other trade partners that after having visited Kashmir, we at ADTOI have decided in principle to unleash the campaign 'KASHMIR CALLING - ALL SEASONS DESTINATION ' and through concerted efforts and serious marketing strategies are being evolved. Mr. Kapur also apprised the distinguished gathering about establishing ADTOI's Chapter in J & K.

The meeting continued with interaction between the members of ADTOI and travel trade people in Kashmir to work out modalities to join in hands to promote tourism in the valley. The main issues touched were the tariff of houseboats, joint publicity & promotion campaign etc.

On 9th morning the delegation left by deluxe coach for Pahalgham and had a night halt at Hotel Senator Pine & Peak. Next morning members left by coach to Gulmarg and stayed at Hotel High Land Park for one night. During the stay they visited Gandova and traveled in the ropeway. On 10th they left for Srinagar to catch their onward flight to Delhi.

To sum up the visit of the delegation was well organized & coordinated by all concerned in the State and everybody enjoyed the most purposeful and business trip to Kashmir. Complimentary transportation was provided by the Department of Tourism J & K. Kashmir is calling - SEE US NOW.

ADTOI delegation was greatly impressed by the comfortable, calm & cool scenario in the Valley. Members are determined and very keen to promote Kashmir as a major tourist destination among their clients in a big way.