Jammu and Kashmir:  Around 6000 stakeholders covered during vaccination drive for tourism workers  

The Tourism Secretary apprised the delegation about the efforts being made by theDepartment to strengthen and stabilize infrastructure and facilities at tourist places likeGulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonmarg and other destinations. 

He said he has already passedinstructions about the quality and standard audit of facilities and equipment at Gulmargand immediate repairs of any equipment at the earliest there so that the same is readybefore the onset of winter season.

Sarmad informed the deputation that he has deputed an expert team from Royal SpringsGolf Course to Gulmarg to upscale and improve the local Golf Course, consideredamong the few old courses in the country. 

Similarly, he said, the Department is takingsteps to make Sonmarg as a winter destination by adding some snow activity featuresthis year so that more and more snow enthusiasts would be attracted once the COVIDsituation improves. 

The deputation thanked the Tourism Secretary for the efforts of using the current leantimes for stabilizing and improving basic infrastructure and facilities in tourism. 

They specifically thanked for undertaking a special vaccination drive for the members of thetourism fraternity.Director, Tourism, Kashmir, Dr G N Itoo; President, Hoteliers Club, Mushtaq AhmadChaya and other senior officers were present on the occasion. 

Later, the Secretary Tourism had a round of the Royal Springs Golf Course to inspect themaintenance and upkeep of the turfs and greens. 

He directed proper and regularmaintenance of the Course.MD, Golf Development Authority, Javed Humayun Bakshi and other officials of theRSGC accompanied the Secretary during the inspection. 

Meanwhile, the special vaccination drive launched by the Tourism concluded today.Around six thousand tourism stakeholders got themselves inoculated during the drivewhich included Airport Taxi Stand staff, staff of hotels, guest houses, travel agencies,restaurants, houseboats, ponywallas, shikarawallas.

The staff of SKICC, Kashmir GolfCourse, JKTDC and RSGC were also vaccinated during the drive.It may be mentioned here that in Srinagar the vaccination centres for tourism playerswere established at TRC, Srinagar, Nigeen Club, Nehru Park and Raj Bagh where themembers of tourism trade were inoculated. Similarly, the tourism players wereinoculated at the famous tourist destinations of Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Doodpathri andYousmarg.