J&K showcases its MICE offerings
The priority of Jammu and Kashmir tourism department is to give fillip to golf tourism and promote the state as an affordable and safe MICE destination, reveals Farooq A. Shah, Tourism Secretary, J&K.
Ladakh's USP is the Buddhist sites and the monasteries. We have asked the government to promote the destination as a Buddhist destination. It has a huge potential for heritage and cultural tourism
Jammu and Kashmir is evolving as one the biggest MICE destinations in India with world-class convention centres in Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Ladakh. Shah says, “MICE and golf go together. So, we are interested in coming up with worldclass golf courses. We are in talks with the government. The vision of our late Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed was to make the state the best tourist destination in the world. We are also the most affordable MICE and golf destination.”
Shah also says that there are major five star and four star hotels in and around the convention centres. He adds, “Our priority is to promote MICE and golf sector and I am sure we will be successful in doing that.”
Shah claims that the state has all kinds of tourism products whether its adventure, luxury or leisure. He says, “Jammu and Kashmir is a shopper’s paradise and one of the best shopping destinations. The Pashmina shawls are world famous. From Jammu to Ladakh we have a history of 5,000 years. Our cuisine is known as the ‘King of cuisines’. Our Chief Minister is also the minister of tourism and is working hard to attract more tourists into the state.”
Talking about promoting Ladakh as a Buddhist destination, Shah says, “Ladakh has got tremendous potential. The total population of Ladakh is 1.33 lakhs, whereas number of tourists is more than that i.e. 2.30 lakh. 50,000 foreign tourists from Europe and other parts of the world thronged Ladakh this year. Its USP is the Buddhist sites and the monasteries. We have asked the government to promote the destination as a Buddhist destination. It has a huge potential for heritage and cultural tourism.”
Homestays and ecotourism sites are also a success in Ladakh. Talking about the recent disturbances, he says, “Kashmir is as safe as any part of the world or India. We had record tourist arrivals this year and we ensure that whoever comes to our state does not face any difficulty. Hospitality of our people is our strength and tourism industry provides employment to 70 per cent of our population.”