Houseboat owners are the backbone of tourism industry in Kashmir, says Director Tourism

Srinagar: On an oath ceremonial of newly elected managing committee of Kashmir houseboat owners association, Director Tourism Kashmir, Mahmood Ahmad Shah on Saturday said that houseboat owners are the “backbone” of tourism in Kashmir.

Speaking on an oath ceremonial event of KHBOA here at TRC Conference Hall Srinagar, Shah said, “You are the real backbone of tourism in Kashmir, houseboats are the oldest industry of the valley existing since 20 decades, you have always kept tourism alive in the state.”

“I am looking forward to witness some prosperous days with the team. Department of tourism will try to redress the problems pertaining to your community like subsidized timber, de-registered cases of houseboats, repair/ renovation of houseboats under single window system,” he said.

Shah stressed the member of Houseboat owners that they should keep their counters in Ladakh, Katra and Srinagar airport active so that massive flow of visitors will visit the state to and fro.

Recently, an election of houseboat owners association Kashmir was conducted in which eight members were elected.

Abdul Hamid Wangnoo as the chairman of the association along with his seven office bearers were elected to run the office affairs of the association.

At the end of oath ceremony, a ‘bravery award’ was given to Late Ghulam Ahmad Guri for for saving many lives of tourists when he took them for Shikara cruise on River Jhelum.