x

Like our Facebook Page

   
Early Times Newspaper Jammu, Leading Newspaper Jammu
 
Breaking News :   Early Times report vindicated: Show cause notices served to 8 more BJP rebel leaders | India to be world's 3rd largest economy by 2027: Amit Shah | DG CRPF visits Kashmir to assess operational readiness | Clean India a shared responsibility: PM Modi | Foreign tourists can now stay overnight in Ladakh’s Hanle village | Law Commission working on formula to hold LS, assembly polls together | IAF to buy 156 more ‘Prachand’ light combat choppers | Govt hikes interest rate to 6.7% on 5-year recurring deposit | 2 mortar shells found along IB in Kathua | Crackdown on illegal mining: 6 vehicles seized in Reasi district | Pothole free highways | BJP on mark, ready for polls in J&K; awaiting final call from ECI: Kavinder | CBC and Department of Information & PR Doda Launch E-Waste Collection Booth in Collaborative Environmental Initiative | Change lifestyle to live a healthier life; Dr Sushil loud message on World Heart Day | Two Punjab residents arrested with drugs in Kulgam | Trade body appeals shopkeepers in Delhi to not accept Rs 2,000 note | Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar signs Women's Reservation Bill | Air India acquires first A350 Aircraft through finance lease transaction | Law Panel recommends rolling out registration of FIRs online | Last nine years saw decisive policies, political stability, economy got new direction: Shah | After graft allegations, I&B Minister Anurag Thakur seeks greater transparency in CBFC | BJP to form Govt in Rajasthan; Gehlot set to lose even his own seat: Rana | Objectionable remarks being made against constitutional institutions for political reasons: Dhankhar | Small tea growers play pivotal role in industry: Goyal | Deal signed for foreign investments worth Rs 12,500 crore: Uttarakhand CM Dhami | Dr Darakhshan Andrabi emphasizes the message of peace by prophet Mohammed (SAW) for harmony | SSP Jammu Chandan Kohli announces arrest of inter-state chain snatcher gang; four accused apprehended | CS takes stock of preparations for finale of AZAM | Rekha Mahajan's "Basti Sampark Abhiyan" strengthens bonds with Backward Communities | NHPC's regional office in Jammu concludes Hindi Pakhwada 2023 with enthusiasm | Police arrest three rape accused, emphasizing stern action against crimes against women | J&K Mountaineering Team Embarks on Journey to 27th North Zone Sport Climbing Championship | UIET Kathua campus collaborates with Froyo Technologies for Cyber Security Webinar | JKTMA protests against rationalisation process, urges SED authorities to intervene | Profound Wisdom on Karma, Meditation, and Self-Realization by Sadhguru Sahib Madhuparamhans Ji Maharaj | Back Issues  
 
news details
No one would jump into death well to visit picturesque Valley
Kashmir's tourism dies down with death of Indian tourist
5/8/2018 11:19:21 PM
Early Times Report
Jammu, May 8: With the killing of a south Indian tourist due to stone pelting in Kashmir, the already dying sector of tourism in Valley has finally breathed its last now.
As per the experts in the field, the death of a tourist has come as a major blow for the tourist arrival in the strife torn Valley. Who would from now on from any place across the globe would endanger his life to explore the picturesque Kashmir valley?
As per the latest details coming to fore, the situation is going from bad to worse in terms of tourist arrivals in Kashmir Valley. The data reveals that there is mere 15 per cent occupancy, down from 70-80 per cent a year ago in Kashmir hotels and that the political uncertainty and continued violence has left no scope for this sector to witness any profits this year.
Earlier, the state government, in a bid to rejuvenate Kashmir's dying tourism sector, launched a new five-minute film to counter perceived "negative portrayal of Kashmiris" and highlight the hospitality offered by Valley locals to visitors. The video, Warmest Place on Earth, garnered over 1.5 million views on Facebook and 35 thousand views on YouTube in a little over 24 hours. It was released by the chief minister Mehbooba Mufti at a grand launch function in Srinagar attended by senior minister and top officials. There are even various campaigns launched by the department of tourism to rejuvenate it. However, repeated attempts seem to have been giving out least results.
On ground, the hotel owners say the situation hasn't changed at all on ground. According to them, their hotels continue to wear deserted looks with tourists not preferring to visit valley amid the hostile situation. "Hospitality is fine but what about the incidents of violence that continue to occur. There is curfew often imposed in old city and incidents of stone pelting too haven't witnessed that much decline that a tourist would feel safe to visit valley along with his family," says a travel guide based in Srinagar.
As per the reports, the 2017 year proved worst for Kashmir's tourism sector after 2016 that witnessed five month violence that resulted in the killing of 90 people.
According to figures from the government's tourism department, some 403,000 tourists visited the valley during the first four months of 2016, but only 181,000 tourists arrived during the same period this year - a drop of 56 percent.
Some 20 percent of the state's 12.5 million people directly or indirectly depend on tourism for their livelihoods.
Data compiled by the Indian Journal of Economics and Development in 2016 show that 425,000 people are directly dependent on tourism for their income. They include management and employees of hotels, houseboats, guest houses, restaurant dormitories and tent houses.
A further 2.1 million Kashmiri people indirectly depend on tourism, such as taxi drivers, shopkeepers, vendors and fruit sellers.
The state government records also show that it has some 1 million artisans working in handicrafts sector, whose products are sold to the tourists, mainly as souvenirs.
Tourism accounts for 7 percent of the state's income and is considered an important sector of Kashmir's economy. The state government, as per official records, has spent over $ 1 million on promotional campaigns and advertising in the Indian and international media.
  Share This News with Your Friends on Social Network  
  Comment on this Story  
 
 
 
Early Times Android App
STOCK UPDATE
  
BSE Sensex
NSE Nifty
 
CRICKET UPDATE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
Home About Us Top Stories Local News National News Sports News Opinion Editorial ET Cetra Advertise with Us ET E-paper
 
 
J&K RELATED WEBSITES
J&K Govt. Official website
Jammu Kashmir Tourism
JKTDC
Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board
Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board
Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board
UTILITY
Train Enquiry
IRCTC
Matavaishnodevi
BSNL
Jammu Kashmir Bank
State Bank of India
PUBLIC INTEREST
Passport Department
Income Tax Department
JK CAMPA
JK GAD
IT Education
Web Site Design Services
EDUCATION
Jammu University
Jammu University Results
JKBOSE
Kashmir University
IGNOU Jammu Center
SMVDU