Will make JK leading global tourist destination: Mufti
Chairs tourism conclave organized by Khyber Himalayan Resorts at Gulmarg
Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Muhammad Muhammad Sayeed Sunday said the decision of his party to ally with Bhartiya Janta Party was taken for the benefit of Jammu and Kashmir and not for personal achievements.
“I had many options to choose from. It was Congress president Sonia Gandhi who first approached me followed by National Conference, but the only reason I preferred to go with BJP was benefit of people of Kashmir and to bring prosperity and peace in the state,” said Mufti.
Mufti said: “Prime Minister NarendraModi has the legitimacy and his vision to bring India on world growth map would benefit Kashmir region.”
“It took me two months to deliberate and reach a Common Minimum Programme. I saw the opportunity of growth in BJP and decided to join it,” he said.
The Chief Minister was speaking during a conclave on J&K Tourism at Khyber Himalayan Resorts, at Gulmarg—the State’s best known ski-resort in north Kashmir.
Unfolding his vision to brand J&K as “the premier global tourist destination”, the Chief Minister said his Government, in partnership with the Centre, will become an entrepreneur in tourism development.
Unveiling his plans for making J&K an elite eco-tourist destination, the Chief Minister said the people will see in next six years of PDP-BJP Government unfolding of his dream to “convert J&K into a cherished tourist destination, having achieved global benchmarks in all defined categories.”
Describing J&K tourism as a “perfect vehicle that only needs a good driver”, the Chief Minister said the new Government will put the State firmly on the pedestal of global benchmarks.
“The prime objective is to improve the economy of the state and provide gainful employment to people, who are the primary stakeholders,” he added.
Expressing concern over skyrocketing air fares in peak tourism season, the Chief Minister requested the Union Tourism Minister, who also holds the charge of Civil Aviation Ministry, to explore operating Srinagar-Jeddah flights for facilitating Umrah pilgrims. He also urged the Union Minister to consider operating additional flights on Delhi-Srinagar, Delhi-Jammu and Delhi-Leh circuits to counter costly air fares.
“We are taking up with concerned authorities the issue of night landing facilities at both Srinagar and Jammu airports to increase footfall of tourists,” he added.
Reiterating his commitment to promote business with ease, the Chief Minister said he had already announced a ‘Single Window’ for speedy environmental and other statutory clearances to facilitate flow of private investment in high-end tourism sector projects. “We are committed to reducing regulatory complexities and costs apart from easing bureaucratic barriers,” he said and added that till the master-plans are finalized, the Government will explore increasing eco-friendly intake capacity by resorting to tented accommodation and eco-cottages.
Referring to the opportunities the State offers in skiing, heli-skiing, mountaineering, trekking, water sports and ropeways, the Chief Minister also unveiled his plans to promote J&K as a major golf destination.
“We already have a golf circuit. We wish to package J&K as a golfing destination. We shall provide chopper facilities between Royal Spring Golf Course at Srinagar and Pahalgam and Gulmarg golf courses which I am sure will do wonders in sports tourism,” he said and added that feasibility checks are being done for laying new golf courses in Sanasar, Sonamarg and Yusmarg.
Raising the issue of much-needed infrastructure upgradation at Gulmarg, Patnitop, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, Mufti Sayeed said the Government is planning to improve road connectivity in a big way so that city-resort networks are improved considerably.
To promote upmarket tourism, Chief Minister announced chopper sorties for high-end visitors to Bangus Valley, an eco-fragile but equally breathtaking destination. He said the plan to develop Mantalai as an international Yoga destination has already been set into motion.
Union Minister of Tourism, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Member Parliament, MuzaffarHussainBaig, MLA Tangmarg, Muhammad Abbas Wani, Union Secretary Tourism, Dr. Lalit K. Panwar, Commissioner/Secretary, Tourism & Culture, Shailendra Kumar, MD JKTDC, Farooq Ahmad Shah were present at the conclave.
A galaxy of hoteliers, tour and travel operators like Deepak Haskar from ITC, Mushtaq Chaya from Kashmir Hoteliers’ Club, Sheikh Ashiq from KCC&I, Dr. Ranjan Jaitely from Cox & Kings, NavinBehri from SATTE, Rakesh Mathur from CJ Hotels and Resorts, Rajesh Gupta from Tourism Federation Jammu, SudhanshuHakoo from Location Bollywood as well as representatives from Raja Rani, KHARA, KHAROF and other tour travel organizations from all over the country shared their views on the occasion.
Earlier, the Chief Minister, along with Union Tourism Minister, inaugurated the Helicopter Service for heli-sightseeing and sorties to Srinagar Airport. The chopper service will also operate paid sorties from Gulmarg to Mount Apharwat, Sunshine Peak and TosaMaidan.
