The Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) on Saturday expressed unwavering solidarity with the tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasising the need to stand beside the Valley’s tourism industry during challenging times. TAFI’s national president, Ajay Prakash, is currently leading a delegation visit to Kashmir to reinforce confidence among travellers and dispel safety concerns.”We have 12 chapters in India, all chapter chairmen and committees are here. The aim is to give full support to tourism which is Kashmir’s lifeline because there is no place comparable to this,” Prakash said at a press conference.
He stressed that recent events, including the Pahalgam terror attack, had unsettled travellers, but reiterated that the Valley remains secure and welcoming. “The incident (Pahalgam attack) has left people scared, but today we are here to give a strong message. Through our chapters, clients and agents across India, we will spread the word that Kashmir is open, ready to welcome you (visitors) and is safe and beautiful,” he said.
“Come to Kashmir. This message will reach every corner of the country,” Prakash added.Also read | Expecting tourism in Jammu and Kashmir to pick up with Amarnath YatraTAFI’s leadership is also engaging with airlines and hotels to ensure that travel to Kashmir remains accessible and affordable. “Kashmir was booming till some days ago and to get back to that level, support is needed from airlines, from hoteliers and from the tour and travel operators across the country,” he noted.He added that members of the federation would conduct presentations about their visit and experiences in the Valley, aimed at encouraging travel to the region. “We will talk to people, do presentations in our chapters about what we saw here. Hopefully, in some months Kashmir will be back to where it was as it is the pride of India.”Also read | Jammu and Kashmir hosts Shikara race on Dal Lake to revive tourism in the ValleyPrakash firmly rejected calls to avoid travelling to Kashmir, terming such suggestions as “foolish”. “We have come here to say that we stand with Kashmir, we stand with our brothers in Kashmir and we will support you to the extent that we can. Things will be back to better than they were,” he said.To demonstrate its support, TAFI has announced that its members will incorporate the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism logo along with the taglines “Dil Se Kashmir” and “Jannat Phir Khuli Hai” in their official email signatures. This gesture, they said, symbolises a commitment to reviving tourism in one of India’s most treasured destinations.(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
