TASK pitches for tourism promotion, Gondola ticketing system upgrade

Srinagar, Mar 20: The Travel Agents Society of Kashmir (TASK) has pitched for increased support for tourism promotion and improvements to the ticketing system for the popular Gulmarg Gondola, a key attraction in the region.

President TASK, Muhammad Ibrahim Siah expressed concerns about tourist arrivals, suggesting that the official government figures of over 2 crore visitors to Jammu and Kashmir may not accurately reflect the situation experienced by tourism operators.

"Kashmir is becoming a costlier tourist destination. Our air tickets are skyrocketing, airfares to Kashmir are costlier than foreign countries and hotel packages have witnessed an upsurge in prices." He suggested that implementing a hotel categorization system would benefit tourists by providing clearer expectations regarding accommodation standards and pricing.

Siah highlighted challenges with the current distribution system for Gondola tickets in Gulmarg.

According to Siah, while approximately 3,000 tickets are issued daily, local travel agents and companies often experience difficulties securing tickets for their clients, while the same tickets appear to be more readily available to non-local travel agencies and at direct purchase points in Gulmarg.

"On average 3,000 tickets are issued, but local travel agents and travel companies find it hard to buy one for their clients, while it is easily available to non-local travel agencies and in Gulmarg," Siah stated, suggesting a need for a more equitable distribution process.

TASK has requested that the government enhance tourism promotion efforts and ensure local travel and tourism stakeholders can participate in national and international travel fairs to effectively market the region as a destination.