In a significant step towards reviving tourism in Jammu & Kashmir, a 30-member delegation from the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), led by its President Ravi Gosain, met with Hon’ble Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar. The CM assured the delegation of complete safety and security for tourists and appealed to the travel trade community to spread the message that “Kashmir is safe to travel.”
The meeting, held as part of the “Rubaroo Jammu & Kashmir” campaign from June 14 to 17, 2025, also saw the participation of Mrs. Yasha Mudgal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary Tourism, and Mr. Raja Yaqoob Farooq, Director Tourism–Kashmir. Both senior officials extended full support from the J&K Tourism Department to facilitate tourism revival efforts.
During the three-day tour covering Srinagar and Pahalgam, IATO members assessed the on-ground situation and found the valley peaceful and the local communities welcoming. “We came here to get a real sense of the situation post the recent Pahalgam incident. What we witnessed was a safe, secure, and tourist-friendly environment,” said Gosain. “The assurances given by the Chief Minister and tourism officials have boosted our confidence, and we are optimistic that the flow of domestic and international tourists will return to normal soon.”
The visit comes at a crucial time as IATO members reported several cancellations from both domestic and international tourists following recent incidents in the region. However, the association believes that restoring traveler confidence through direct engagement and ground-level assessment is key to the recovery process.
In a gesture of goodwill and collaboration, IATO also extended an invitation to the Hon’ble Chief Minister to attend its 40th Annual Convention, scheduled to take place in Puri, Odisha from August 22 to 25, 2025. The CM accepted the invitation in principle and assured that a strong delegation from Jammu & Kashmir Tourism would participate in the convention, which is expected to draw over 1,000 delegates from across India.
