JAMMU, MARCH 29: The second session of the two-day workshop on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), organized by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) with support from the Office of the Development Commissioner MSME, Ministry of MSME, Govt. of India, focused on the Impact of Intellectual Property Rights on Tourism. Held at Hotel Radisson Blu, the session was moderated by Kanchan Zutshi, Director, PHDCCI.
Rakesh Wazir, Chair, PHDCCI Jammu Chapter, welcomed the distinguished speakers and attendees, emphasizing the critical role of IPR in the tourism sector. He highlighted how intellectual property, including trademarks, geographical indications, and branding, plays a key role in enhancing the identity and global appeal of tourist destinations. He also urged tourism stakeholders, including hoteliers, travel operators, and local artisans, to protect and promote their unique offerings through effective IP strategies.
Delivering the keynote address, Yasha Mudgal, Commissioner Secretary, Tourism J&K, underscored the importance of sustainable tourism practices that balance economic growth with environmental preservation. She stressed the need to identify and promote Jammu’s Unique Selling Proposition (USP) to attract more tourists while ensuring the protection of its natural and cultural heritage. She also highlighted the role of IPR in branding local tourism products and services, which can significantly enhance Jammu’s visibility on the national and international tourism map. She suggested PHDCCI to choose a tagline for Jammu for promoting tourism and if approved get it registered under Intellectual Property Rights. PHDCCI assured full support from PHDCCI IPFC which is supported by Ministry of MSME, GoI
Dr. Vikas Gupta, Director, Tourism Jammu, provided insights into various initiatives undertaken by the J&K Tourism Department to strengthen the region’s tourism sector. He elaborated on how IPR can help in protecting traditional crafts, cultural symbols, and hospitality brands, ensuring their long-term value and authenticity in the competitive global market. Adding to the discussion, Gaurav Gogia delivered an in-depth presentation on intellectual property rights, explaining their significance in tourism-related enterprises. Citing examples of globally recognized brands such as Coca-Cola and Parle-G, he illustrated how strong IP protection enables businesses to maintain brand identity, build customer trust, and drive long-term growth.
The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Sanjay Gupta, Co-Chair, PHDCCI Jammu Chapter, who expressed gratitude to the esteemed speakers and participants for their valuable contributions.