Invite film industry to shoot in picturesque locations to boost tourism in Jammu and Kashmir: Kant

Srinagar: The CEO National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog, Amitabh Kant on Saturday urged the department of tourism to invite the film industry to shoot movies in picturesque locations, use social media for publicity, focus on high value tourism and invite tourism experts to share their experiences for promotion of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mr Kant who visited picturesque Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Saturday said this during a meeting with tourism officers and urged them to take appropriate measures for the development of tourism sector in the Jammu and Kashmir.
He said that the department of tourism should invite the film industry for shooting in picturesque locations, maximise usage of social media for publicity, focus on high value tourism and invite tourism experts to share their experiences for promotion of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Professional photography of tourist destinations, outsourcing of services in tourist areas and providing state of the art facilities can boost tourism of Kashmir globally”, he asserted.
Mr Kant reviewed strategy, progress and steps being taken up for the development of tourism sector in Union Territory and appreciated the work of tourism department and assured them of full support from the government.
Meanwhile, Secretary, Tourism, Sarmad Hafeez gave detailed presentation of achievements, strategies being employed to attract tourists and develop new tourist destinations in the UT.
The CEO NITI Aayog was apprised of the several steps like organising summer and winter festivals at various locations, tourist festivals at religious places and sufi shrines, conducting food festivals, widespread publicity in print and digital media, conducting road shows, weekend festivals, destination based festivals and connected events are being taken up to boost tourist footfall in the UT.
Director Tourism G N Itoo, MD Tourism Fakhruddin, Director Planning Tourism, CEO Pahalgam, SDM Pahalgam, AD tourism and other concerned officers were present on the occasion.
UNI