In a development being widely welcomed as a long-overdue breakthrough for tourism professionals in the Gulmarg region, the Office of the Assistant Director Tourism, Gulmarg has initiated a structured and phased process for the conversion of Valley Guide licence holders into the Tourist Guide category.

This reform was initiated by Tahir Mohi-Ud-Din Wani, Assistant Director Tourism, Gulmarg, who, upon assuming charge, undertook a comprehensive verification exercise of registered service providers under the relevant provisions of the J&K Tourist Trade Act.

During the exercise, the sector was found to be affected by long-pending irregularities, including registrations held in the names of deceased persons, government employees, and individuals holding multiple registrations simultaneously. 

Rather than allowing the status quo to continue, Tahir Mohi-Ud-Din Wani, under the supervision of the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department, initiated a systematic scrutiny and rationalisation of the existing registration records. In the process, ineligible registrations were identified and cancellation orders were issued in accordance with law.

It is against the vacancies thus created, specifically 77 slots arising on account of deaths and government employment in the Tourist Guide category, that the first batch of eligible Valley Guide licence holders has now been notified for conversion. The list has been prepared on the basis of the prescribed eligibility parameters, including qualification, age, and experience, as available on the official record so as to ensure uniformity, administrative clarity, and fairness in the selection process, and to avoid any ambiguity or dispute in determination of eligibility. 

For eligible license holders who do not figure in the first list, the Assistant Director Tourism, has clarified that subsequent lists shall follow in a phased manner, subject to vacancy, availability and approval of the competent authority. 

Applicants who have sought registration in the general Tourist Guide category have also been advised not to lose hope, as their case has likewise been submitted to the Directorate for consideration, and it is expected that vacancies may also be made available for them in due course, subject to approval.

For a region where tourism forms the backbone of the economy, this marks a significant step towards replacing years of disorder with a more transparent, regulated, and accountable framework for guiding services in Gulmarg.