Tourism promotion course has many takers in Kashmir

SRINAGAR - A newly introduced tourism promotion course has found many takers in Jammu and Kashmir, as many enthusiastic youngsters are not only joining it to brighten their own job prospects but also help in promotion of the picturesque state.

The Institute of Hotel Management in Srinagar has introduced a two-week long course under the guidance of federal tourism ministry.

The course titled ‘hunar se rozgar tak’, is an attempt to rope in youths, make them aware of the state’s tourism prospects and help them earn a living out of it.

“The first week of the training, we are teaching them of different routes, scope of adventure tourism, heritage and religious tourism in the state. In the next week, we will put them with different travel agents as interns so that they know about the real life of the agents,” said Nitesh Shrivastav, principal, Institute of Hotel Management.

The initiative found appreciation among the youths.

“We are taught how to behave with domestic and foreign tourists, the etiquettes and to help them avail the basic amenities,” said Shayista, a student.

Kashmir touts itself in brochures as “Paradise on Earth”, with Dal Lake - a favourite break centuries ago for Mughal emperors escaping the summer heat of India’s plains - as well as its amous houseboats, mountains and glaciers. (ANI)