Copter service to Gulmarg, Pahalgam launched

The government today launched its first-ever helicopter service to Pahalgam and Gulmarg resorts with an aim to boost high-end tourism in the Valley.

“Even though only a small fraction of travellers will take chopper rides initially, it is a big step towards positioning Kashmir as a high-end destination,” said Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed after launching the service from the Srinagar airport.

Mufti said tourists could now directly travel to popular tourist spots Gulmarg and Pahalgam from the airport. “After alighting from the aircraft, visitors can hop on to choppers and reach their destinations in less than 15 minutes,” he said.

He said the service would give a fillip to golf and conference tourism in the state, besides promoting heli-skiing. Initially, one ‘Euro Copter’ would be pressed into service by the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Corporation, which would operate sorties to Gulmarg and Pahalgam.

Mufti said the government had to remain focused on creating conditions to promote arrivals of middle-rung tourists, who actually were the ‘cog-in-the-wheel of tourism industry’.

“The livelihood of most of people depends on tourism. The high-end visitors stay in luxury houseboats or five-star hotels. On the contrary, middle-rung tourists provide avenues of livelihood to a large number of people like shikarawalas, ponywallas and artisans,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu said the government would facilitate private players who were ready to invest in creating niche facilities in the tourism sector. He urged tour and travel operators present on the occasion to market the copter service as part of their package.

Minister for Public Works Altaf Bukhari, in his address, described the launch of helicopter service as a historic step that would promote the state’s tourism industry.