Srinagar: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan, Friday chaired a meeting to review preparedness for Winter Tourism and various other related activities at famous tourist place Gulmarg.
Commissioner Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Sarmad Hafeez, participated in the meeting through Video Conference while Director Tourism Kashmir, Director Airport Authority, CEO, Tourism Development Authority, Gulmarg, MD J&K Cable Car Corporation, SDM Gulmarg, ADC Baramulla, Chief Engineer, MED, Principal IISM, Gulmarg and J&K Sports Council Officer participated in person.
While taking review of availability of basic amenities, Advisor asked the officers to make adequate arrangements during the mega event to avoid any inconvenience to tourists. He instructed officers to conduct audit of basic amenities at Gulmarg and rectify gaps in advance. He also asked the officers to hold meeting with hoteliers, poni wallas, transporters, private players and other concerned stakeholders regarding smooth conduct of winter tourism activities.
Advisor was informed that different programmes will be organized during the event including celebration of White Christmas, Snow Carnival, Sufi programmes, Junior Ski championship, National and International snow sports events, mountaineering activities etc. He directed the officers to issue calendar of activities to be held at Gulmarg for winter tourism.
Advisor asked the concerned authorities to make arrangements for direct helicopter and taxi service to Gulmarg. He also asked them for regular Covid-testing of tourists at Srinagar Airport, Qazigund and Tangmarg. He asked Director Health to make available an additional ambulance available at SDH Tangmarg.
Meanwhile, Sarmad Hafeez, informed that Gulmarg is a Covid free place adding that adequate measures needs to be taken up to avoid spread of any disease there.
Advisor Khan asked the concerned for establishment of a joint control room comprising all the concerned departments to monitor arrangements for the event.
Advisor Khan instructed Director Tourism to hold a meeting with hoteliers asking them to illuminate their hotels and buildings. He asked for conducting capacity building programme for transporters and poniwallas to educate them regarding the hospitable behavior with tourists.
