07-06-2023 : Rahul Sahai Chair PHDCCI Jammu Chapter calls on Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary Tourism, Government of J&K. At the outset Chair congratulated him for successfully showcasing Jammu Kashmir’s Rich Tourist destinations in front of the world and amongst G20 delegates and in particular first time showcasing Jammu’s tourist destinations too. He briefed him about the vision and working of PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Rahul Sahai presented several suggestions, recommendations, and issues related to the tourism sector in Jammu. He suggested showcasing Jammu’s Tourist destinations in Katra town. He said that there should be a mass showcasing of tourist destinations of Jammu in Katra town by playing videos all the time in Katra markets, prominent chowks, track, making of a museum at Katra showcasing Jammu’s destinations so that tourists can see and visit other places too. He added that there should be very vibrant tourism office in Katra which should take care of showcasing all Jammu’s destinations to the visiting religious tourists. They should take data from yatra slip counter of the shrine board and WhatsApp videos to visiting tourists so that by the time they come back after darshan, they could be motivated to visit other places.
Sahai said that there is an urgent need to have a check and control on the airfares. Also more flights should be operated, to meet the demand of the visitors to Jammu. He suggested that Suchetghar Beating Retreat should be in line with Attari border and it should be done every day and not only on weekends as tourists can’t wait for weekends. He said that J&K Tourism’s twitter handle should showcase Jammu’s activities too as there is less awareness about tourist spots of Jammu.
Rahul Sahai recommended that the tourism department should support the startups. The venue should be provided for events/ festivals by the tourism department at Patnitop and other places for startups, liquor license should be there for that venue, and local NOC‘s and sponsorship support should be available for startups. Mr Sonaad Gupta gave a brief description about the events his startup had organized recently in Jammu and requested the support of the department for future events.
Rahul Sahai suggested the Introduction of New Tourist Activities in and around Jammu like Jungle safari in our forests of Jasrota & Nandani forests so that tourists could stay in Jammu. Also suggested Sports Activities increase footfall in Jammu. Suggested having Cricket IPL Match at MAM Stadium, Shooting ranges should be developed in Jammu , Golf Tournaments should be held in Jammu so that footfall can increase in Jammu.
Rahul Sahai Said that the Ticket rates of Jammu Gandola should be slashed, as the rates are too high and not affordable for the common masses. He said Liquor license at Jammu Ropeway restaurant should be granted.
For Patnitop he suggested that Infrastructure for destination marriages in and around Patnitop should be made with the availability of rooms. Street market, pubs, bars in lines with mcleodganj should be developed in Patnitop. Also, roads should be widened.
For Sanasar Sahai said that there is a dire need of identifying and auctioning hotel sites in and around Sanasar so that good hotels / Guest houses could be made available for tourists. Permission to startups for luxury tents should be given with ease of doing business.
For Mansar and Surinsar Lakes, he said that Hygienic conditions to be maintained at these places, especially in restaurants & toilets, there are no places to sit, these lakes have also religious beliefs to feed fishes by locals and tourists, it should be promoted in the same way and Decks should be maintained with the availability of feed for fishes. Wide Roads and parking are needed.
For Kishtwar and Bhaderwah he said that Roads need to be widened, Roads accidents are at peak. Locals also want to visit but availability of Good hotels / Home stays / Govt accommodations are not there, it needs to be upgraded. Although activities like tracking etc is a good initiative Rahul Sahai suggested to promote startups to set up their ventures with ease of doing business.
Rahul Sahai recommended Complete Circle of Tourist Areas. Most of the tourists come to Jammu for Mata Vaishno Devi, visit Patnitop, Jammu City, and go back. There is a need to develop complete circle from Katra – Jammu – Bani/ Basoli like that in Kashmir region Sonmarg- Srinagar – Pahalgam/ Gulmarg he added.
He recommended that there should be a dedicated area for land banks related to tourism sector. Land clusters for tourism sector at Sanasar, Patnitop, SudMahadev, Bhaderwah, and Kitshwar should be identified so that Good hotels markets could be made available to tourists and people can invest and make properties with ease of doing business .
Rahul Sahai recommended that policy for Farm stay and Homestay should be implemented in J & K. Tourism department should be involved in the development of villages for farm stays. Homestays will provide cheaper accommodation to the tourists and more the home stays/farm stays will be available more tourists will get accommodated. This will generate employment opportunities also he added.
Regarding Maintenance, Protection and Promotion of Heritage Sites, Rahul Sahai said that here is a dire need to protect and promote our heritage sites like Mubarak Mandi, Samba fort, Chingus fort and several other sites because of their historical importance. Such sites should be bought on tourist maps, In Mubarak Mandi there are approx. 25 palaces and work is going on in 5-6 palaces by the time it will be done condition of others will worsen, and need its restoration and operation at the earliest.
Rahul Sahai suggested the Promotion of Tourism in J & K through IT. He said that with the help of IT, tourism in J & K can be promoted to every nook and corner of the map.
He suggested the use of Digital Marketing, Collaborating with various production companies for creating top-notch video content & then using social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest to showcase the place’s unique offerings, attractions, and experiences. We should Partner with local businesses, hotels, tour operators & travel agencies like Oyo, goibibo, makemytrip initially to create attractive travel packages and deals that showcase the destination’s unique offerings.
He also suggested Collaboration with Bloggers & influencers who have a large following in the industry to promote the tourist place to their audience on social media. Host blogger & influencer events to showcase the place’s unique offerings and create positive buzz he added.