On June 17th, 2025, a delegation of 30 members from the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), led by its President, Mr. Ravi Gosain, met with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Omar Abdullah, in Srinagar. During the meeting, the Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to the IATO delegation for taking this important initiative and assured them of the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all tourists visiting the state. He urged the delegation to convey to the larger travel fraternity that Kashmir remains safe and welcoming for travellers.
Also present at the meeting were Mrs. Yasha Mudgal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Tourism, and Mr. Raja Yaqoob Farooq, Director of Tourism-Kashmir, both of whom reiterated the full support of the J&K Tourism Department in promoting tourism and extending assistance to travel trade partners.
The delegation’s visit was part of the “Rubaroo Jammu & Kashmir” campaign organised by IATO from 14th to 17th June 2025. As part of this familiarisation tour, the members visited various parts of Pahalgam and Srinagar. Sharing his observations, Mr. Gosain stated, “It was important to assess the ground realities on site. During our three-day visit, we found the valley to be peaceful, with its residents as welcoming as ever. The state feels as safe as any other destination in the country. Moreover, the reassurances received from the highest levels of the government further boost our confidence, and we are optimistic that tourist inflows will soon return to normal.”
Speaking on the recent concerns, Mr. Gosain added, “The unfortunate Pahalgam incident led to a series of cancellations from both domestic and international tourists. The sentiment was understandably impacted, but rebuilding confidence is crucial for revival. This visit is a step forward, and we are fully satisfied with the safety measures put in place by the government.”
During the interaction, IATO also extended an invitation to the Hon’ble Chief Minister to attend the upcoming 40th IATO Annual Convention, scheduled to be held in Puri, Odisha, from 22nd to 25th August 2025. The Chief Minister, in principle, accepted the invitation and assured that Jammu & Kashmir Tourism would participate with a strong delegation, offering an excellent opportunity to showcase the state’s offerings to over 1000-1200 delegates from across the country.