Chamber aghast at department’s poor handling of major promotional event, demands high-level inquiry
SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) convened an urgent meeting on Tuesday, gathering heads and representatives of 20 hotel, houseboat, travel, and tour organizations to address the fallout from the Department of Tourism’s last-minute decision to withdraw Kashmir’s participation in the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) in Mumbai, scheduled from January 30 to February 1, 2025.
“For over two decades, the Department of Tourism has participated in key promotional fairs, and this year, had allocated space for various associations to represent Kashmir. However, participants were met with shock upon their arrival in Mumbai, as they were informed at the eleventh hour that the Government had canceled its participation, leaving many stakeholders stranded and financially burdened,” the KCCI said in a statement issued here.
During the meeting, the participants condemned the Department of Tourism for its mishandling of such a critical event. The last-minute cancellation has caused significant financial strain on those who had already traveled to Mumbai, incurred travel costs, and prepared promotional materials, they said.
“The department’s negligence has created an untenable situation for us,” said a representative at the meeting. “We had invested substantial amounts in travel, printing materials, and accommodations, only to be denied the platform to promote Kashmir as a premier travel destination.”
The Directorate of Tourism Kashmir, according to the statement, had allocated a quota for travel and trade bodies, instructing organizations to distribute participation slots among their members at a fee of Rs 10,000 each. Yet, upon arrival, many were told they could not participate, despite having entry cards and allocation letters in hand, the Chamber said.
Participants said this incident severely undermines local businesses’ efforts and jeopardizes Kashmir’s reputation as a tourist destination. The conspicuous absence of Kashmir’s representation at one of the largest tourism fairs in the country raises further concerns among stakeholders about the tourism department’s competence in promoting the region, they said.
Moreover, the travel and trade representatives voiced their dissatisfaction with the tourism department’s ongoing disregard for their participation in other essential trade fairs crucial for showcasing Kashmir’s rich cultural and natural heritage. “Such mismanagement not only diminishes the tourism sector’s credibility but also negatively impacts revenues generated from tourism-related activities,” they said.
Stakeholders have proposed the creation of a Tourism Board to more effectively oversee operations and address the concerns of tourism operators. They also criticized the cumbersome registration processes, which they say detract from their ability to focus on their businesses.
The participants said they would reconsider their participation in future events organized by the Tourism Department due to the dissatisfaction with their treatment.
The Chamber unanimously called for a high-level inquiry by the Chief Minister into the cancellation incident, urging a thorough investigation into the decision-making processes within the Department of Tourism to prevent future disruptions.
The meeting included participation from various organizations, including TASK, KHAROA, UTTA, TAFOK, and several others, highlighting a united front in seeking accountability and promoting the interests of Kashmir’s tourism sector.