Srinagar: Ahead of winter tourism season, the government is mulling to restore internet to tourism players in a phased manner.
A senior officer privy to the development told Kashmir Reader that initially the government will restore internet to prominent tourism players in coming days.
In the second phase, the government will restore internet to all tourism players in a month, he added.
The development came after tour, travel and hotel bodies told the tourism department that they will not hold promotional activities anywhere until internet is restored.
Sources said that the issue was raised during a meeting held with the department in which hoteliers, tour operators, and Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry participated.
One of the participants who attended the meeting told Kashmir Reader the tourism officials assured them internet will be restored in a gradual manner.
“We are waiting for that. If that happens, then we can go out and do marketing for tourism. Otherwise we won’t take part,” he said.
Every year, Tourism department invites local tourism players for conducting promotional events in India and abroad. But this time too, the invite was sent but it did not draw any response.
As per the tentative promotional list, the department had made plans to promote tourism in eight states, and four foreign destinations including Bangladesh, Thailand, Sharjah and Indonesia. The events are scheduled to begin by December-end till February.

Junaid Nabi Bazaz