J&K’s serenity, heritage showcased in Amritsar

Road-shows by Directorate of Tourism

Amritsar, March 7 (Punjab Post Bureau) – Continuing with its drive to give a fillip to tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, Directorate of Tourism Jammu J&K UT in association with Jammu Association of Tour Operators (JATO) organised Tourism Promotion Road Show at Hotel Hyatt Regency Amritsar.

            Earlier in the day, a press conference was held, which was addressed by Deepika Sharma (JKAS), Raman Suri General Secretary Tourism Federation Jammu, Bilal Ahmad Mir Assistant Director Directorate of Tourism Kashmir, Sd. Amrik Singh President Jammu Association of Tour Operators (JATO), B.B Kotwal President Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh Tourism Stakeholders Association and Ajay Gupta President Association Religious Tour Operators Katra.

            Stakeholders including Hotel Associations, Travel and Tour Operators, Travel Media among others prominently attended the enchanting Road Show, in which the Chief Guest was K.L Malhotra (Forest Conservation Specialist, Department of Tourism, Punjab) and the Special Guests were G.S Sekhon (Chairman TAAI Punjab Chapter), Manmeet Singh (Chairman IATO ADTOI Punjab) and Ashwani Gupta (Ex-Chairman TAAI Punjab Chapter). Executive Director Mubarak Mandi Heritage Jammu Deepika Sharma (JKAS) was the Guest of Honour.

            Welcome address was made by Kiran Wattal President Amarnath Yatra Welfare Society and Vice President Gymnastics Federation of India, in which he briefed about the historical connection between Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab.

            Deepika Sharma JKAS said that the Jammu Tourist circuit has a huge potential for pilgrimage, leisure and adventure tourism. J&K is a rich centre of heritage and home to shrines of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Amarnath, Shahdara Sharief, Shankaracharya Temple, Kheer Bhawani, Hazrat Bal, Mansar Lake and Dal Lake among others. There are also ancient temples, forts and sites dating back to 6th century, which are awaiting exploration and admiration from seekers as well as tourists. She also recommended the opportunity to explore the potential of Amritsar – J&K Tourism Corridor.

            Ashwani Gupta Ex-Chairman TAAI Punjab Chapter hailed the Directorate of Tourism and JATO for organising such a splendid road show and said that a fame tour to J&K should be organized by J&K Tourism Department for all the stakeholders from Punjab, so that they can collect intensive knowledge about J&K’s tourism.

            Key note speaker Rajesh Gupta Chairman Board of Trustees Tourism Federation Jammu, gave a very heart-touching speech in which he spoke about the untold and rare legends from Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga and Dwapar Yuga concerning various historical places of J&K. He also told true stories with facts regarding the relation of Shri Ram ji, Shri Krishna ji and Lord Shiva-Maa Parvati ji with the pious land of Jammu and Kashmir. He also highlighted the potential of tourism in J&K and invited the people of Punjab to come and enjoy the beauty of J&K.

            An excellent presentation was given by B.B Kotwal and Sd. Amrik Singh, highlighting the excellent rail, road and air connectivity of Jammu and showcased Maa Vaishno Devi Bhawan, Shri Raghunath Ji Temple, Maa Bawe Wali, Shri Amarnath ji Shrine, Shankaracharya Temple, Patnitop, Sanasar, Basohli, Kishtwar, Rajouri and Poonch. Main highlight of the presentation was the circuit of Bhaderwah including picturesque Jai Valley, serene Padri meadows, Gur-Danda, Kailash-Kund Lake, Gatha Lake Park, Trout Fish farm and apple orchards.