Developing app for hassle-free travel experience: Mehbooba

The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department is developing a mobile application that will help tourists make online bookings and reservations for their visit to the state in a hassle-free manner.
"The Tourism department is developing a mobile application which will enable visitors to make online bookings and reservations in a hassle-free manner," Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who holds the Tourism portfolio, said during an interaction with tourism players here.
In a bid to improve footfall of tourists this summer, Mehbooba sought cooperation from tourism and business fraternity in reviving the state's economy which primarily depends on its lucrative tourism industry.

While interacting with various delegations, she stressed that people associated with the industry have to do a lot to establish a feel-good factor among the visitors.
It is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure that no tourist is harassed, she said.
Seeking support in maintaining peace, the Chief Minister said it is the state's tourism and business fraternity which has to suffer the brunt when there is disturbance in the Valley.

Mehbooba asked the Tourism Secretary to operate pre-paid taxis from strategic locations, like airports and railway stations for tourists.
"We have to reach out to the tourists with open arms so that they enjoy the hospitality for which we are known all over the world," she said, while asking hoteliers, houseboat owners, shikarawallas, ponywallas, tour and travel operators to facilitate visitors so that they go back with rich memories.

Asking the Tourism department to promote paying guest concept among people residing in downtown areas, Mehbooba said the government is actively pursuing withdrawal of advisories imposed by some countries on visiting the state.
The Chief Minister also floated the idea of incorporating adventure tourism in school curriculum at secondary level.
She said the government over the last one year has made strenuous efforts in projecting Kashmir as a world-class tourist destination.
Roadshows will be organized in countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia from where the Valley receives a fairly large number of tourists, Mehbooba said.
She said there are still many places to be explored which will provide a rich experience to visitors.