Katra, Aug 21 (KNO): The Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) successfully concluded a three-day Familiarization (FAM) Tour to Katra from August 19 to 21, 2025. The delegation comprised 20 members of TAAK’s Executive Committee and was led by the President, Rauf A. Tramboo.
As per a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the primary objective of the FAM trip was to gain firsthand insight into the newly launched Vande Bharat Express service between Katra and Srinagar, explore Katra’s tourism potential, and strengthen collaboration with travel professionals and stakeholders from the region. The trip also aimed at familiarizing members with major sightseeing locations in and around Katra, as well as exploring newly developed tourism properties.
During the visit, the TAAK delegation visited several hotel properties to assess the facilities and amenities available for tourists. The delegation engaged in meaningful interactions with hoteliers and local stakeholders to understand the tourism landscape of the region and identify areas for mutual promotion and cooperation.
As part of the FAM tour, a Tourism Conclave was organized at Hotel Welcome ITC in Katra. The event was attended by prominent travel agents, industry stakeholders, and chamber leaders. The conclave was graced by Baldev Raj Sharma MLA Katra, who served as the Chief Guest. In his address, Mr. Sharma lauded TAAK’s efforts in bridging the gap between tourism stakeholders from Kashmir and Katra, and appreciated the association’s initiative to promote inter-regional collaboration.
Savita Chauhan, Deputy Director Tourism Jammu, was the Guest of Honor at the conclave. She praised TAAK for organizing the FAM trip and assured full support from the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu, in future collaborative tourism initiatives. Alka Mishra, Additional Director Tourism Katra, also addressed the gathering and emphasized the importance of partnerships and synergy between regions to ensure sustainable tourism growth.
Raj Kumar Padha, President of the Chamber of Tourism Trade and Industry Katra, along with other office bearers of the chamber, was also present at the conclave. Padha expressed strong support for closer ties between the tourism sectors of Jammu and Kashmir and welcomed the TAAK delegation for their engagement and outreach.
In his keynote address, President Rauf A. Tramboo highlighted TAAK’s ongoing efforts to promote inter-regional tourism through a series of successful FAM trips across Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. He noted the long-standing travel connection between Katra and Kashmir, where pilgrims to Vaishno Devi often extend their journey to the Kashmir Valley for leisure travel.
Tramboo also emphasized the need to increase the frequency of the Vande Bharat Express service between Katra and Srinagar, and strongly urged the authorities to commission additional services from Jammu to Srinagar and Delhi to Srinagar, to meet growing tourist demand and improve regional accessibility.
Tramboo assured full cooperation and support from TAAK to tourism stakeholders in Katra and reiterated the association’s commitment to building sustainable, inclusive tourism networks across regions.
Past Presidents Farooq A. Kuthoo and Peerzada Fayaz Ahmad also addressed the gathering. Fayaz emphasized the importance of promoting eco-friendly and responsible tourism, while Kuthoo stressed the need to prioritize the local economy, ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach the grassroots level and support the livelihoods of local communities.
The conclave concluded with a felicitation ceremony, where key stakeholders, travel professionals, and industry leaders were honored for their contributions to the development of tourism in the region.
The FAM tour marked a significant step in strengthening tourism ties between Katra and Kashmir, fostering mutual understanding among stakeholders, and promoting a shared vision of integrated and sustainable tourism across the regions of Jammu and Kashmir—(KNO)