MUMBAI, JANUARY 16: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday called for a deeper and more structured partnership between the Jammu and Kashmir government and the travel fraternity to strengthen and sustain the Union Territory’s tourism sector. Addressing leading stakeholders from the travel and trade industry in Mumbai, he emphasized that rebuilding and expanding tourism is rooted not in marketing alone, but in trust, confidence, and long-standing relationships.
Interacting with travel agents, tour operators, and representatives of travel associations from Maharashtra and Gujarat, the Chief Minister made it clear that his outreach was not aimed at selling Jammu and Kashmir as a destination. He said the natural beauty of the region is already well known and requires no introduction. Instead, the focus of the interaction was to reinforce collaboration and mutual confidence that has historically underpinned the region’s tourism growth.
Highlighting the special bond between Jammu and Kashmir and the travel fraternity of Maharashtra and Gujarat, Omar Abdullah acknowledged the crucial role played by these states as key source markets for tourism. He particularly appreciated the solidarity shown by Maharashtra-based travel agencies following the Pahalgam attack last year, noting that their continued engagement and confidence helped restore tourist inflow during a sensitive period.
The Chief Minister observed that such support during challenging times reflects the depth of partnership between the destination and the travel industry. He said this trust is central to positioning Jammu and Kashmir as a safe, vibrant and all-season tourism destination, capable of attracting visitors across diverse segments.
During the interaction, Omar Abdullah outlined the wide range of tourism offerings available in Jammu and Kashmir, including leisure travel, adventure tourism, pilgrimage circuits and wellness experiences. He reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening infrastructure, ensuring safety and maintaining a tourist-friendly environment to support sustainable growth in the sector.
The outreach programme, organised as part of the Maharashtra and Gujarat Travel Fraternity Outreach in Mumbai, also saw the felicitation of prominent travel agents and associations for their continued contribution to promoting Jammu and Kashmir tourism. The event served as a platform for dialogue, collaboration and renewed commitment to jointly work towards enhancing the region’s tourism profile at both national and international levels.
Those present at the event included Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Member of Parliament Gurinder Singh Shammi, MLA Gulmarg Peerzada Farooq Ahmed Shah, Director Tourism Jammu Vikas Gupta, along with heads and representatives of major travel bodies from Maharashtra and Gujarat. The interaction underscored the government’s emphasis on partnership-driven tourism development, anchored in confidence, cooperation and shared responsibility.