Training program for women tour operators commences

SRINAGAR: An 11 day Womenpreneurship Training Program for Tour Operators kick-started here today under the auspices of the Tourism Department. The programme held under the supervision of Director Tourism Kashmir, Raj Yaqoob, aims to empower women by equipping them with the skills necessary to thrive as professional tour operators. The programme is supported by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) under its Tourism Cluster Intervention Program in collaboration with a local hospitality group.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Director Tourism, Dr. Mantasha Binti Rashid underscored the need for increased female representation in the tourism sector in view of the flourishing business. She said that the tourism industry is a major economic driver for the region and expressed confidence that such programs would pave the way for more women to enter and excel in this field.

Assistant General Manager, SIDBI, Adil Ahsan provided valuable insights into various schemes designed by his organization to support women entrepreneurs. He outlined the resources and assistance available for setting up businesses in J&K and also informed about an upcoming training program for 100 female tour guides from J&K. He underscored SIDBI’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and supporting women in achieving their entrepreneurial dreams. He also emphasized on leveraging government schemes and incubation support to set up their enterprises.

The training program, which attracted 15 candidates selected from Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, and Ganderbal has been designed to cover all facets of the tourism industry. Participants will gain comprehensive knowledge and practical skills needed to succeed as professional tour operators. This initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing women’s representation and participation in the Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism sector, contributing positively to the state's economic development.