Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah extended a cordial invitation to travelers from across India to discover the stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and renowned hospitality of Jammu & Kashmir during the inauguration of the Travel & Tourism Fair (TTF) at the Mahatma Mandir Convention & Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Addressing attendees at the event, the Chief Minister underscored the region’s year-round tourism appeal, highlighting opportunities for adventure, pilgrimage, heritage tours, golf, and unique off-beat destinations. He also emphasized the increasing tourism exchange between Gujarat and J&K, reiterating the government’s commitment to establishing Jammu & Kashmir as a dynamic, all-season destination.
Chief Minister Abdullah was joined by Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Pahalgam Altaf Ahmad Wani, and MLA Gulmarg Farooq Ahmad Shah. The event was graced by Gujarat’s Minister of Tourism, Mulubhai Bera, as Guest of Honour. High-ranking officials from both state governments attended, including Dheeraj Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM; Dr. Ashish Chandra Verma, Additional Chief Secretary of J&K Tourism; Rajender Kumar, Secretary Tourism, Gujarat; and Prabhav Joshi, Commissioner of Tourism and Managing Director of Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd. The Chief Minister toured the exhibition halls, interacting with exhibitors and delegates from the travel and tourism sector.
During his visit to Gujarat, CM Abdullah also held discussions with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to foster inter-state cooperation, boost tourism promotion, and facilitate the exchange of best practices for inclusive development—marking an important step toward stronger ties between Jammu & Kashmir and Gujarat.
Chief Minister Abdullah also visited some stalls, where he was warmly welcomed by Mr. Vivek Acharya, Managing Director of Chhattisgarh Tourism. Mr. Acharya presented him with the Chhattisgarh tourism brochure and extended a cordial invitation to visit the state.
TTF Ahmedabad, the largest travel trade event in Gujarat, is underway with participation from over 900 exhibitors, including more than 70 tourism stakeholders from J&K and international exhibitors from Sri Lanka. The three-day fair, scheduled from July 31 to August 2, is expected to welcome more than 12,500 trade professionals, thereby establishing Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar as strategic hubs for domestic and outbound tourism ahead of the festive and winter seasons.
The Jammu & Kashmir Pavilion is emerging as a crowd favorite, captivating visitors with its rich traditions, breathtaking natural beauty, and innovative travel offerings. J&K Tourism’s active presence at the event highlights the region’s versatile tourism possibilities—from thrilling winter sports and spiritual circuits to film tourism and cultural heritage experiences. The fair features representatives from over 25 Indian states and Union Territories, enhancing its role as a key forum for networking and business generation in the tourism industry. As Gujarat strengthens its standing as a venue for major exhibitions and events, TTF Ahmedabad provides Jammu & Kashmir an excellent platform to deepen ties with the travel trade and broaden its tourism reach nationwide and internationally. Notable dignitaries at the event included Shikha Surendran, Director Kerala Tourism; Raja Yaqoob, Director Tourism Kashmir; Shreya Singhal, Managing Director JKTDC; Vikas Gupta, Director Tourism Jammu; Kuldipsinh S. Jhala, Joint Managing Director, TCGL; and several tourism industry leaders and association heads.
