The travel and trade industry stakeholders of both Leh and Kargil participated in the first Mini Tourism Conclave on December 13 in Leh.

The conclave was organized at the initiative of Commissioner/Secretary Tourism Rigzin Samphel by Tourism Department UT Ladakh in collaboration with All Ladakh Tour Operators Association and Hotel Association from both Leh and Kargil districts.

Quoting the famous African proverb, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’, Lieutenant Governor, RK Mathur stressed on the need for both the government as well as the stakeholders to work in tandem to work-out a road map keeping the fragility, sensitivity, and authenticity of ecology, environment, and tradition, and future of Ladakh in mind. 

He said that with the new set-up of administration and flow of money, the government should develop tourism products, market it, ensure skill development and come forward to facilitate the tourism sector by way of granting permits and other required formalities. Also, the stakeholders need to develop new avenues on spiritual, herbal-medicine, silk-route, ice-skating, and other forms of tourism to the world to explore and make a paradigm shift of Ladakh from summer destination to an all-season tourist destination.
 
Advisor to LG, Umang Narula talked about the immense potential of tourism in Ladakh and stressed on the need to push brand ‘Ladakh’. 

He said that with the allocation of sizeable budget, Government intends to promote this sector in every possible way.
 
Rigzin Samphel, Commissioner Secretary welcomed the first gathering of various tourism-related sectors from different areas of Ladakh at a single platform. He suggested that the stakeholders must advertise the specific season speciality of autumn, winter and spring seasons of Ladakh.      

Mohd Mumtaz Ali, Director Tourism briefed about the current tourism sector scenario of Ladakh, plans for its promotion and issues/challenges.

The representatives of the travel and trade industry of both Leh and Kargil districts spoke about their vision of the tourism sector of the areas, issues, and suggestions.