SRINAGAR: In a significant step towards revamping Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism infrastructure, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired the first Board meetings of the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) and the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) after both bodies were recently reconstituted, with the Chief Minister himself at the helm.
At the back-to-back meetings held at SKICC, Omar Abdullah unveiled a new strategic direction for the two major institutions, aimed at transforming their functioning from underutilised government setups into commercially viable and professionally run tourism engines.
Presiding over the 19th board meeting of SKICC — the first since November 2020 — the Chief Minister expressed concern over the facility’s prolonged under-utilisation despite its prime location and modern infrastructure. He directed the Tourism Department to create a distinct MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) brand identity for SKICC to attract a year-round calendar of corporate and official events.
“SKICC must become synonymous with high-end conferences and gatherings. We need strategic marketing to tell the corporate and institutional world that this space is open and ready,” the Chief Minister said. He underscored the need to engage event planners, government agencies and private organisers to plug the long list of ‘unutilised days’ on SKICC’s calendar.
Officials were directed to initiate immediate recoveries of outstanding dues from departments and private parties, and to assign clear roles and supervisory responsibilities to boost performance.
The meeting also discussed a wide-ranging agenda, including audit observations, financial reconciliations with the Accountant General’s office, and the continuing separation of utilities between SKICC and Centaur Hotel — now under the control of Leela Palace and JSW Realty after last year’s outsourcing by the UT administration. Human resource issues, including the fate of Centaur staff and their possible absorption in other tourism organisations, also figured in the discussions.
In the 95th Board of Directors meeting of the JKTDC, Omar Abdullah set a reformist tone, flagging revenue leakages and poor visibility of assets as key concerns. He called for the installation of independent smart meters across all JKTDC-owned properties to bring transparency in energy usage and curb misuse.
“Every JKTDC hut, hotel, and guest house must be monitored efficiently. Revenue losses through internal inefficiencies must end,” he said.
A strong push was made for the development of a dedicated JKTDC mobile app to market properties, enhance accessibility, and provide a seamless experience for visitors. The Chief Minister directed that all premium and standard rooms be listed on Online Travel Aggregators (OTAs) like MakeMyTrip and Booking.com to improve occupancy rates across seasons.
With JKTDC managing properties across remote and emerging tourist destinations, Omar Abdullah stressed on improving facilities in huts and bungalows to make them viable for overnight stays — a potential game-changer for decentralised tourism in the UT.
The Board discussed several long-pending operational and financial matters, including rental revision for properties used by government departments, reimbursements of outstanding dues, unpaid benefits to retirees, and action taken reports on past decisions.
Today’s meetings marked the first formal oversight of these tourism institutions by Omar Abdullah since the boards were restructured. Alongside the Chief Minister, both meetings were attended by Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, and senior officials from Finance, Tourism, and Planning departments.
By placing strong emphasis on financial self-reliance, brand visibility, and modern management practices, the Chief Minister signalled a decisive shift in how J&K’s tourism infrastructure will be positioned going forward. As Jammu and Kashmir continues to attract rising tourist footfalls, the success of SKICC and JKTDC in reinventing themselves will likely define the next chapter of the region’s tourism story.
