HYDERABAD: Minister for Tourism, Mr. Ghulam Ahmad Mir has said that Jammu and Kashmir government is making all efforts to promote and showcase states’ abundant tourism potential for its economic revival.
Speaking at the 3 day joint session of United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in today’s conference on ‘Sustainable Tourism Development’ held at Hyderabad, said the need of the hour is not tourism growth alone but development of tourism in a sustainable manner. He said “our initiative at the international level to host the events, no doubt, will go long way in highlighting India’s’ role in promoting global and regional tourism for economic growth, employment generation and social integration.
The conference was inaugurated by Union Minister for Tourism, Dr K Chiranjeevi and participated by over 250 delegates all over the world besides the representatives of Indian States. India, the current chairperson of UNWTO Regional Commission for South Asia, accord great importance to sustainable tourism and, as its commitment towards it, has developed a code for ‘safe and honorable tourism and sustainable criteria for accommodation and tour operators sector.
Tourism Minister said south Asian region has rich and varied tourism products to attract visitors from the world over-with heritage and culture dating back to thousands of years, architectural and natural marvels, an unmatched bio-diversity and home to almost all the world religions.
Mir said the occasion would prove good opportunity to the State government to promote tourism in the State. He while deliberating the initiatives taken by the J&K government with the liberal financial support of Central Government said that new virgin spots like Bhaderwah, Bangus, yousmarg, Doodpathari, veering and other dozen spots have been developed with required tourist infrastructure in the State and thrown open for tourists.
Tourism Minister said that State government has also explored the golf, adventure and pilgrim tourism in the State. He said we have World famous golf courses like Royal golf Courses at, Gulmarge , Phalgam ,Sidrah, Jammu and is also developing a golf course at Leh. He said government has also promoted convention and eco-tourism and has developed adventure tourism by organizing international and National level championships.
The Minister called World bodies to visit the Jammu and Kashmir for their holidays and enjoy the beauties of nature here in Kashmir, the paradise on earth.
He welcomed the lifting of travel advisories by some European countries while asserting that Kashmir was being promoted as part of the “365 day travel” destinations of the country.
Tourism Minister said that we are going to start new tourist attractions in the State which includes paragliding at several feasible spots like Sonamarg, Phalagam and Buderwah. He said besides gondola facilities at World known Gulmarge, rope ways is being installed at other potential spots in Kashmir and Jammu. |
