Kashmir hosts mega MICE event

Over 200 senior management officials of leading private sector banks visit Valley

SRINAGAR, JULY 04:  With the strenuous efforts of the Department of Tourism projecting Kashmir as one of the best destinations for holding meetings, incentives, conferencing, and exhibitions (MICE) in the country, many corporate houses are organizing events and incentive trips for their employees here.

One such mega conference and recognition programme trip was organized by one of the leading private sector banks of the country for it’s over 200 senior officials posted in many branches across India.

The trip, during which the delegates visited many parts in Srinagar and some other most sought-after destinations, concluded on Tuesday.

The group had Shikara rides, visited Mughal gardens and enjoyed local music at the evening events. Ninety percent of the delegates had visited Kashmir first time and were overwhelmed by the beauty of the place.

They expressed surprise over the negative reportage by some sections of the media and described Kashmir as safe and its people the most hospitable.

“We were surprised to see how things are normal here. The place is extremely beautiful and the weather is also very pleasant. It has been a lifetime experience to visit Kashmir,” said one of the senior management officials of the bank.

Leisure Corp, one of the leading MICE management companies, organized the trip in collaboration with Mascot Travels and Tourism Department, which has been pushing Kashmir as one of the best MICE destinations in the country.

Appreciating the role of the department of tourism in promoting MICE, Naveen Kundu, Founder & MD, Leisure Corp said Kashmir has been his first choice for such events.

He said Kashmir is one of the best hill resorts in the country for MICE tourism.

Director Tourism Kashmir Mahmood A Shah said they have been promoting Kashmir for events and conferences at MICE shows, travel trade shows outside the state during which they met event management companies and showcased them the potential of corporate tours to Kashmir.

“We have required infrastructure here in Srinagar for such conferences besides Pahalgam has also come up as the beautiful MICE destination,” said Shah.

Director Tourism said such big events would go a long way in diluting negative perception among the travelers intending to visit Kashmir.

The successful conduct of the tour has lifted the hopes of the travel agents about more such events in future.