Tourism In Kashmir Is Reviving: J&K Government
Kashmir tourism is on the recovery path and inflows to the state is picking up gradually with the improvement in tourism infrastructure after last year’s floods, a senior minister said on Tuesday.
“Government has put in lot of hard work and also due to efforts of tourism department tourist arrivals have increased which is a positive sign,” Education Minister Naeem Akhtar said.
“Almost all hotels are fully operational now, and the tourism leaders should visit here and see the facilities for themselves,” he further added.
In a series of events planned this year for promotion of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had inaugurated first Travel Mart in summer capital Srinagar on May 16. This happened after 1988.
Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed recently visited Mumbai and other places and interacted with top tourism industry leaders and Bollywood bigwigs. It helped in getting things back to normal,” he added.
Akhtar said, in near future the film industry’s big banners will be coming to Kashmir.
“Government has decided to do away with bureaucratic hassles and issue clearance for film shoots within seven days.
“These things carry a strong message and acts as a confidence building measure and will help in reviving the old bond between Bollywood and Kashmir besides boosting tourism sector here.
“Now nearly 27 flights are operating to and from Srinagar every day and on average 7000 tourists come here daily. It is a huge success,” he said.
The minister said efforts are on to make Kashmir a year-round tourist destination.
“We have roped in local tourism players and other stakeholders to give off-season discount to tourists. Mainly the period between July and September remains without much tourist buzz and related infrastructure remains mostly unused, such discounts will help in more tourist inflow to Kashmir”, he said.
He, however, admitted the government needs to do more to improve road connectivity to tourist destinations and inter-district roads in the state.
