J&K gears up for eventful World Tourism Day

Srinagar:Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department is all set to celebrate the World Tourism Day on September 27 across the state.

The theme of this year’s World Tourism Day is ‘Millions of Tourists, Millions of Opportunities’, Secretary Tourism Department Farooq Ahmad Shah said.

Shah convened a meeting for discussing the proposed events to be held on that day.

Giving details, Shah said the main functions shall be organised at SKICC Srinagar and TRC Jammu.

He said the function will include interaction between travel fraternity, civil society and other stakeholders. This shall be followed by a talk on the same theme and an Opera on the cultural diversity of the state.

He said the Chief executive officers of all Tourism Development Authorities shall celebrate World Tourism Day at their respective destinations and shall co-ordinate with the educational institutions in the area as well.

They would also ensure participation of registered travel bodies in the area, Shah said.

He asked the concerned officer to ensure that eco-tourism in the state is promoted through this endeavor.

In the run up to World Tourism Day, the department will observe a cleanliness week from September 15 to September 22, Shah said.

“In an endeavor to maintain the beauty and ecology of the tourist destinations across the state, we have decided to organize a cleanliness week from September 15 to 22,” he said.

Shah said the CEOs of all the Tourism Development Authorities of and concerned tourist officers have been directed to involve locals including tourism stake holders in the campaign to help maintain the beauty and cleanliness at the tourist destinations.

“The department has already proposed a comprehensive plan for scientific disposal of the waste produced in and around these destinations,” he added.