IATO Delegation Forms Partnership with J&K CM for Tourism
A delegation of 30 members from the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), led by President Ravi Gosain, met with the Honourable Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, in Srinagar. During the meeting, the Chief Minister thanked the delegation for their initiative and assured them of the safety and security of tourists. He encouraged the delegates to spread the word within their networks that Kashmir is safe for travel. Also present at the meeting were Mrs. Yasha Mudgal, Commissioner and Secretary of Tourism, and Mr. Raja Yaqoob Farooq, Director of Tourism for Kashmir, who assured the delegation of full support from the J&K Tourism Department. The delegation meeting is part of the “Three-Day Rubaroo Jammu & Kashmir Campaign” by IATO. During this campaign, members toured various parts of Pahalgam and Srinagar, finding the valley peaceful and the people welcoming.
Ravi Gosain said, “ It was important to assess the ground situation and during our three days stay we found the state as safe as any other place. Besides, we have assurances from the highest echelons of the government and that gives us all huge confidence and I am sure tourist flow to the state would be back to normal in times to come.”
“Post Pahalgam incident there were scores of cancellations faced by IATO members both by domestic and foreign tourists. Obviously the sentiment was hit but it is important to restore confidence and revive tourism. The visit is a step in this direction and we are completely satisfied with safety arrangements made by the government” adds Gosain.
IATO took the opportunity to invite the Hon’ble Chief Minister to the 40th IATO Annual Convention, which will be held in Puri, Odisha, in August 2025. This convention will allow the Chief Minister to meet 1,000 to 1,200 delegates from across the country. The Chief Minister, in principle, accepted IATO’s invitation and assured that Jammu & Kashmir Tourism would participate with a strong delegation. The IATO Convention is scheduled in Puri, Odisha, from August 22 to August 25, 2025. The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has been the national apex body of the tourism industry since 1982.
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