KCCI slams Tourism Dept’s last-minute withdrawal from Mumbai OTM
Srinagar: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has expressed outrage over the Department of Tourism’s abrupt cancellation of its participation in the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) in Mumbai, scheduled from January 30 to February 1.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in an emergency meeting, KCCI and representatives from 20 travel and hospitality organizations slammed the department’s mishandling of the major promotional event, calling it a setback for Kashmir’s tourism sector. Stakeholders who had already traveled to Mumbai, incurring significant expenses, were left stranded without explanation.
Participants criticized the tourism department for its negligence, saying the cancellation undermined Kashmir’s reputation and caused financial losses. They also voiced concerns over the department’s failure to support local businesses at key trade fairs.
The Chamber demanded a high-level inquiry by the Chief Minister to investigate the decision and ensure accountability. Stakeholders also proposed the formation of a dedicated Tourism Board to prevent such mismanagement in the future.
