Deputy Commissioner Reasi Vishesh Mahajan in his endeavour to make Reasi district as hub of Tourism held a meeting with Hotel & Restaurant Association,Katra and especially of hoteliers who cater to high end Tourists and said that every effort is being made to develop Katra as major marriage destination and for that a joint strategy involving department of culture, SMVD Shrine Board, Local host community and other stake holders is required and because he wanted to have marriages on the pattern of Sri Lanka,New zealand,Rajasthan,Goa etc. in Reasi district and Bhimgarh Fort,Banks of River Chanab,Chankah,Katra,Deva Mai,Shiv Khori and with limited people if feasible at Bhawan even, are best places and for that cooperation of all is the need of hour.He said that at Katra where we are having the edge of having good accommodation at Katra,Reasi District has got the distinction of having these spots overhere,which are a big craze for people all over the world and can become a major source of economy of J&K and Reasi District in particular.
SDM Katra Piyush Dhotra,Tehsildar Katra Jitender Singh,Hotel & Restaurant Association,Katra President Rakesh Wazir,Chairman Shyam lal kesar,Sr.Vice President Virender Kesar,Vice presidents Kuldeep Sharma, Sumit Khajuria,Nishant Sharma, Executive member Bhushan Gupta besides owners and General Managers of Marriott,Vivanta,Sarovar Portico,White a member of Radisson Individual,ITC Welcom,Lemon tree,Ginger,Fortune,Holiday Inn,Ramada,Best Western,Clarks Inn etc.were prominently present in the meeting.
Mr. Wazir while speaking on the occasion besides thanking Deputy Commissioner for taking steps with regard to development of Tourism and redressing the water crisis at Katra further requested for opening up of more water tanker filling points besides improvement in the path of recently opened water point near Kakryal. He also requested for early start of helicopter service to Shivkhori besides telecating of its live Aarti.
Mr. Shyam Lal Kesar & Virender Kesar asked for publicizing of places of Tourist interest around Katra in a bigger way and suggested for providing of pen drives so that hoteliers may be able to play that publicity material in their hotels. They also requested for improvement in the facilities at new Bus Stand Katra.
Mr. Mahajan listened the Hoteliers patiently and elaborated them that to tap the full potential of Maa Vaishnodevi Ji Yatra & Shiv Khori pilgrimage work on helipad at Katra is started and very soon pilgrims will be having the privilege of darshans of Shiv Khori through helicopter also.He said that options are also explored for opening of Meditation centers around Katra.He assured them that each and every point will be taken up sympathetically and the points which pertains to others will be taken up with them.