Jammu and Kashmir government determined to revive old tourist glory: Omar

Srinagar, Oct 21 : Describing tourism as the backbone of the economy of Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the glorious historical role of people of Kashmir to give new dimension to world tourism is hard reality and same cannot be erased by few adverse incidents which crippled this industry during last two decades.

He said tourist arrival from neighbouring and central Asian countries was increasing, while from West it showed decline.

Interacting with the representatives associated with tourism sector at an a function held by Travel Agents Society of Kashmir, Mr Abdullah agreed with the representative of tourist trade that rumours, spread and exaggerated through International media regarding presence of Taliban in Kashmir, has affected tourist arrivals to some extent.

He however, complimented Tourism Minister Rigzin Jora for refuting these rumours vehemently, which helped at National and International level to restore the confidence of the tourists destined to come to the valley.

Mr Abdullah said he was daily monitoring the arrival position of the tourists and now other flow from the country as well as neighboring countries, including China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and other eastern countries and Central Asia, was increasing.

Its time for tourism department to concentrate on this shift of tourist flow and play its role in attracting people from these countries by launching publicity campaign, he stressed.

During the interaction, the Chief Minister said livelihood of lakh of people was associated with this trade.

He further stated that during last two decades, this industry was worst-hit as a result of which, not only big houses associated with this trade but the tour operators, hotel owners, shikara and Houseboat owners, artisans associated with handicraft and cottage industry also received colossal economic setbacks.

The Chief Minister said time has come to rebuilt our tourist infrastructure in such a manner so that besides having international compatibility this sector shall be able to regain all losses, which it suffered during the recent past.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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