Srinagar, Jan 30: The President, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Javid Ahmad Tenga, along with the President of the Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Owners Association, Gowher Maqbool, on Friday met Ashish Chandra Verma, Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner (Tourism), at the Civil Secretariat Jammu here to discuss pressing issues confronting the tourism sector in J&K.
A statement said that during the meeting, Tenga apprised the Additional Chief Secretary that the tourism industry has suffered a severe setback following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which triggered widespread cancellations and a sharp decline in tourist footfall.
He said the downturn has resulted in acute financial stress across the sector, impacting hoteliers, houseboat owners, tour operators, transporters, tourist guides and thousands of daily-wage earners who are directly dependent on tourism for their livelihoods.
Tourism promotion remained a key focus of the discussion, with the KCCI President strongly advocating for an intensive, well-coordinated pan-India and international promotional campaign to restore traveller confidence and safeguard the upcoming tourism seasons. He stressed that timely and visible promotional efforts are crucial to reversing the prevailing slowdown.
The issue of renewal of registrations for hotels, houseboats and guest houses was also discussed at length. Tenga pointed out that delays, lack of clarity and procedural complexities in the renewal process are creating serious operational challenges for hospitality units. He sought the introduction of a single-window, digitised and time-bound mechanism for renewals, with special emphasis on houseboats, describing them as an iconic and integral part of Kashmir’s tourism identity.
The KCCI President further expressed concern over notices being issued by the Pollution Control Committee to hotels and hospitality establishments at a time when the sector is already under immense strain.
Other issues raised included the absence of a clearly defined annual calendar for tourism promotion events, with stakeholders often informed at short notice, limiting effective participation. The delegation also highlighted infrastructure constraints in congested areas such as Lal Chowk, fire safety compliance under Smart City initiatives, the need for improved airport facilitation, waiver of municipal and allied fees during the downturn, and the urgent requirement of sewage treatment plants in major hotel clusters.
Tenga requested the Additional Chief Secretary to visit these hotel clusters to assess the situation on the ground. Verma gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured that the issues raised would be examined with due consideration, reiterating the government’s commitment to reviving tourism and improving the overall business environment in J&K.
