Srinagar: Srinagar is all set to host the third G20 Tourism Working Group meeting beginning Monday and all preparation has been put in place for the first major international event after J&K’s special status was abrogated in 2019.
Kashmir is hosting the first and largest international summit. Despite heavy objections from neighboring countries Pakistan and China, Kashmir will host the G20 tourism working group meeting in Srinagar from May 22 to 24. Notably, Jammu and Kashmir will host an international event for the first time since the repeal of Articles 370 and 35-A.
Shikaras on Dal Lake are being repainted
Kashmir, known as “heaven on Earth,” is the ideal location for an India tourism working group conference. Srinagar has been transformed into a smart city in order to make this event beautiful and historic. The world-famous Dhal Lake is being decked like a bride, and the Shikaras (boats) on the lake are being repainted.
Event will be held at picturesque SKICC on banks of Dal Lake
The three-day mega event is being held at the picturesque Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Complex (SKICC), on the banks of the Dal Lake, amid unprecedented security arrangements.
SKICC has been decked like a bride for the G20 delegates from May 22 to 24. All the preparations for the G20 meeting to be held in Kashmir valley have been completed, an official said and added the roads leading to the venue including shores, parks and buildings have been provided absorbing looks to welcome the delegates.
Three-tier security arrangements
Three-tier security arrangements have been made in Srinagar city to thwart any militant plans to disrupt the meeting.
The venue has been sanitised for the event and elite forces have been keeping an eye on the situation. Security forces have been put on high alert. All roads right from the Srinagar International Airport to the SKICC where the function is being held were searched by metal detectors and sniffer dogs were also pressed into service to ensure no untoward incident happens during the event.
Officials say that the meeting will take the J&K's tourism sector - especially the potential of the Kashmir Valley, where the event is being held - to the world.
The stretch from the Srinagar International Airport has been given a facelift to enhance the aesthetic value of the existing structure. Roads were macadamised and several projects completed under the Srinagar Smart City Project have been inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha recently.
Hope among people related to tourism sector
Viewpoints, hoardings, signboards were put up and plantations have been done along the roads from Srinagar Airport to SKICC. There is hope among the people related to the tourism sector from the G20 meeting.
“The hospitality of Kashmiris is amazing and people are waiting to welcome the guests”, said a Houseboat owner. He said with this meeting not only tourism will be promoted at the international level but also the development of Jammu and Kashmir will come to the forefront.
Officials said that on May 22 and 23 “Film Tourism for Economic Growth and Cultural Preservation” will be organised focusing on strategies to promote film tourism.
The event will witness the participation of G20 member countries, invited countries, international organisations, and industry stakeholders.
A draft “National Strategy on Film Tourism” will be unveiled to provide a roadmap for harnessing the role of films in promoting tourist destinations.
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