J&K showcase at the ADTOI Convention
Jammu & Kashmir, once a sought after summer escape for Indian travellers, is doing what it takes to regain its share of the Domestic Tourism market as it plays host to the Annual Convention.
It is important to note that India has a very strong domestic tourism market, which is likely to register strong growth in the coming years on the back of a strongly growing economy. According to the Ministry of Tourism; Domestic Tourism contributes about threefourths of the overall tourism economy in the country. In 2010, 740 million domestic tourist visits took place while the figure crossed the 850 million mark in 2011 and the trend will continue in the coming years.
It is in this backdrop that the sixth edition but the first ever Annual Convention of ADTOI ( Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India) outside Delhi holds significance. Jammu & Kashmir, once a sought after summer escape for Indian travellers, is doing what it takes to regain its share of the domestic tourism market as it plays host to the Annual Convention.
Tourism in the state of Jammu & Kashmir has witnessed a rebound in the last few years. It received about 10 lakh domestic tourists last year as against just a few thousand foreign tourists. Speaking about the ADTOI Convention taking place in the state, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Tourism Minister, Jammu & Kashmir said, “The ADTOI Convention is a very important event for the state tourism. Tourism in the state has always been driven by the domestic market. And ADTOI being the national tourism body of tour operators, we have high hopes from the Convention.”
Jora said that the state tourism department will wrest this opportunity to showcase the domestic tour operators not only Kashmir but also the Jammu and Ladakh regions. He said, “Highlighting the various Adventure Tourism venues will be one of our key focus areas during the convention.” He further explained, “We have an incredible range of adventure tourism products and the potential to promote these are immense in the huge domestic market.” He stressed that the state is ready to welcome adventure seekers with products such as river rafting, heli- hiking, skiing etc. Apart from highlighting its various popular tourist destinations like Pahalgam, Sonemarg and Gulmarg, Jora informed that the State Tourism Department as well as the local tourism trade will also showcase the lesser known destinations.
Highlighting the various Adventure Tourism products will be one of our key focus areas during the convention