PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PHDCCI) organized the 2nd edition of PHD Golf Tourism Conclave and Tournament from 22-23 September 2018 at Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir with a focus to position India on the international Golf Tourism map.
PHD Golf Tourism Conclave was held on 22 September 2018 at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) and brought on one platform all the relevant stakeholders– the Government and the private sector to discuss regarding issues and opportunities for promotion of golf tourism in India.
Mr. Khurshid Ahmad Ganai (IAS), Advisor to Governor, Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir graced the occasion as the Hon’ble Chief Guest. He said that J&K, already known for its natural beauty also has state-of-the-art Golf Courses. To promote golf as a niche tourism product and also position J&K as a preferred golfing destination in the region is important.
The occasion was also graced by Mr. B. Venkatesham (IAS), Secretary- Department of Tourism, Govt. of Telangana; Mr. Farooq A Shah (IAS), Secretary, Department of PHE I&FC, Govt. of J&K; Mr. Masarat Hashim, Dy. Director, J&K Tourism; Mr. Illiya Dekov, Counsellor- Head of Trade & Economic Affairs, Embassy of Bulgaria in India; Mr. Alexis Bossuyt, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Govt. of Flanders; Mr. Pawas Prasoon, Assistant Director, India Tourism Delhi; and Mr. Rameshwar Prasad, Member, Bharatiya Janata Party.
While welcoming the delegates, Mr. Anil Khaitan, President, PHDCCI said that India has the strength to provide round the year tourism and with Golf becoming a growing sport worldwide, there are immense opportunities for the growth of Golf Tourism in India.
Also present from PHDCCI were Mr. Mukesh Gupta, Chairman- Tourism Committee; Mr. Mushtaq Chaya, Chairman- Kashmir Committee; Mr. Rajan Sehgal, Co–Chairman- Tourism Committee; Mr. A P Vicky Shaw, Chairman- Tourism, Kashmir Committee; Mr. Nasir Shah, Co-Chairman- Tourism, Kashmir Committee; Mr. Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary General; Mr. Yogesh Srivastav, Principal Director; Mr. Vivek Seigell, Principal Director; and Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, Principal Director.
The representatives of different States- Jammu & Kashmir, Telangana, Delhi and Countries- Thailand, Bulgaria gave a presentation highlighting golf tourism and related infrastructure at their respective places.
During the Conclave, a Panel Discussion on ‘Positioning India on the international Golf Tourism map’ was also organized which was moderated by Mr. Rajan Sehgal, President, India Golf Tourism Association & Co–Chairman- Tourism Committee, PHDCCI. The panellists included Mr. Vinod Zutshi (IAS), Former Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India; Ms. Sunita M. Bhagwat (IFS), Commissioner of Tourism, Govt. of Telangana; Mr. Isra Stapanaseth, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand- New Delhi Office; Mr. Sudhir Sobti, Chief Manager, Delhi Tourism; Mr. Ghalib Mohiuddin, Managing Director, J&K Golf Development and Management Authority; Mr. A P Vicky Shaw, President, Professional Golfers Association of India; Mr. Vishesh Khanna, Vice President- Sales, Vistara; Ms. Shruti Nada Poddar, Chairperson- Rajasthan State Chapter; and Mr. Arshad Shawl, Co-Chairman- Kashmir Committee, PHDCCI.
The subject was passionately discussed by the keen golfers, elite industrialists and captains from the travel & tourism Industry present, who were further motivated to contribute to the cause.
The PHD Golf Tournament was organized on 23 September 2018 at Royal Springs Golf Course, Srinagar. The Tournament saw the participation of over 90 golfers from the country, besides some local golfers from Jammu & Kashmir.
While inaugurating the Tournament, Mr. Farooq Abdullah, Former Chief Minister, Government of J&K welcomed all the keen and avid golfers from all across India and said that Kashmir has become one of the favourite spots for Golf lovers. Playing golf in the valleys of Kashmir, where the wind whispers through the chinar and pine trees is totally a different experience, especially when golfing entangles with the sightseeing of beautiful lakes and valleys.
The Tournament was also graced by Mr. Khurshid Ahmad Ganai (IAS), Advisor to Governor, Government of Jammu & Kashmir; Mr. Satyajeet Rajan (IAS), Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India; Mr. Parvez Ahmad, Chairman & CEO, J&K Bank Ltd along with senior officials from PHDDCCI.
All tournament players appreciated the efforts made by PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry along with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India to organize this Golf Tourism Conclave & Tournament.