Kargil: : The All Kargil Travel Trade Association (AKTTA) hosted a warm welcome dinner in honour of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) at Rego Café, Biamathang, Kargil. The event was graced by the Hon’ble Chairman/Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon as the chief guest
Executive Councillor for Tourism, Kacho Mohd Feroz; Director Tourism Ladakh, Kunzes Angmo; DYSP Traffic, Anayat Ali; Former CEC, Kacho Feroz Khan; Assistant Director Tourism, Mohd Ali Tak; President TAAK; former presidents, executive members of TAAK; senior members of AKTTA and other dignitaries from the tourism sector were also present.
In his address, CEC Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon appreciated AKTTA for organising the Ladakh Familiarisation (FAM) Tour for TAAK, emphasised the Council’s commitment to promote Kargil’s tourism beyond single-night stays. “Our vision is to ensure that tourists spend at least five days in Kargil to fully experience its culture, heritage , and hospitality,” the CEC said.
He instructed the Assistant Director Tourism to share a detailed itinerary with TAAK and acknowledged the proactive role of the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh in promoting tourism in the region.
Dr. Akhoon positively responded to suggestions raised by the TAAK delegation, particularly the issue of air connectivity. He assured that LAHDC Kargil is actively taking up the matter with the Civil Aviation Ministry, hoping for the initiation of small aircraft services to Kargil to enhance accessibility and boost the local economy. He also urged TAAK members to highlight the tourism potential of Kargil in national platforms like SATTE and beyond. The CEC also invited the visiting delegation to attend the upcoming Suru Festival.
Executive Councillor for Tourism, Kacho Mohd Feroz, welcomed the guests and urged them to take the time to truly understand and explore Kargil over the course of their visit. He stated that each visiting agent becomes an ambassador of Kargil tourism and plays a vital role in its promotion.
Director Tourism, Kunzes Angmo, assured all possible support from the department for the development and promotion of tourism in Ladakh.
President TAAK expressed gratitude for the warm facilitation and shared his positive experience of the visit. He assured that TAAK would work on developing 3- to 5-day travel packages focused on Kargil. He highlighted tourism as the highest job-generating sector and emphasized Kargil’s potential to become a winter tourism hub for skiing, sports, and skill training. He stressed on the need for professionalism in tourism, calling it an economic activity with mutual benefits.
Local hotelier Nasir Hussain Munshi also spoke on the occasion, highlighting the potential for four-season tourism in Kargil and urged for continued efforts in exploring diverse tourism scopes in the region.
As a mark of appreciation, mementoes were exchanged between TAAK and LAHDC dignitaries.
In his vote of thanks President AKTTA, Mohd Ali said that the event is a platform to strengthen tourism ties between Ladakh and Kashmir, and to explore collaborative efforts in promoting Kargil as a destination on the tourism map.
