KL Report
Srinagar
For receiving an award Jammu and Kashmir government flew two of its minister, Minister for Tourism, Ghulam Ahmed Mir and Minister of state for Tourism Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo to Berlin.
At ITB Berlin, Famous tourist destination of state Gulmarg was awarded as the best All Seasons Destination of the world by Pacific Asia Travel Writers Association (PATWA).
The award was conferred by a reputed jury, including Professor Geoffrey Lipman, Dr Ghassan Aidi (President International Hotel and Restaurant owners association) and Frederic Pierret representative of World Tourism organisation (WTO).
The award was presented by the Executive Director WTO and Secretary General PATWA at ICC building, Messe Berlin
“Gulmarg deserved it always but the credit goes to every common individual of our state who has contributed in making Gulmarg as all seasons’ destination,” said Minister for Tourism J&K State Ghulam Ahmad Mir, after receiving the award.
In his address, Sajjad Kichloo said, “This award is the recognition of our efforts and we have to continue doing the good work and make all other places as all seasons’ destination in the state. We have to make our tourism products more competitive and effective so that like this award, our every product in itself gets recognition in coming years,”
ITB Berlin 2013 is by far the world’s largest meeting place of international tourism players, policy decision-makers and business leaders. The German chancellor, the Indonesian president, representatives of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Pacific Asia Travel Writers Association (PATWA) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), as well as more than 100 ministers of tourism and state secretaries, met in Berlin to help shape the future for growth in the tourism industry.
On the sidelines of the event ministers and officials of the state met various delegations from different countries and diversities focussing on promoting J&K as a safe destination.
ITB Berlin has kicked off the travel season around the globe. From March 6 to 10, 2013, 10,086 exhibitors from 188 countries presented their products and services in display halls that were fully booked up.
Referring to the recent remarks about the space controversy, Talat Parvez, Director Tourism, Kashmir, who was also present in the event said, “It was decided in the meeting with hoteliers Club and Tour and travel operators in Srinagar that we should have an additional space for private entrepreneurs at ITB Berlin. After they agreed, we approached ITB for an additional space. Infact it was very difficult to get an additional slot in the exhibition and now we have got it and we can use it for coming years.”
