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| Govt hints at keeping all tourism activities shut in JK for now | | Authorities mulling SOP adoption, phased manner resumption | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, June 20: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday hinted at the continuous closure of tourism-related activities in Jammu and Kashmir, citing the Coronavirus threat as a major impediment to revive the crises ridden sector in the erstwhile state.
Tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir has been reeling under severe crises post-August 5, last year due to the imposition of restrictions and barring of internet services. The sector witnessed further hardships due to the outbreak of COVID- 19 and subsequent lockdown, leaving the government with no choice but to shut all tourist resorts and ban air and territorial travel all across.
However, with the gradual lifting of the lockdown, people associated with the tourism sector were pinning hopes of revival and were urging the government to allow tourists to visit picturesque valley this summer. Things meanwhile would be tough to get back on the track. The government on Saturday has dropped enough hints about keeping the tourist sector closed for now.
Advisor to LG, B A Khan stated that SOPs for tourism revival adopted by other states and Union Territories in the country are being studied for reference and replication before finalizing this vital document here in J&K while addressing a webinar titled “Rebooting and Revival of Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir through Public and Private Partnership” organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Chairperson FICCI Tourism Committee and CMD- The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, Executive Vice President, South Asia, Carlson Rezidor Hotel group, K B Kachru and Secretary General FICCI, Dilip Chenoy were among others who participated in the webinar while the session was moderated by Ashish Kumar, Co-Chair FICCI Travel Technology Committee.
The government further stated that the tourism sector can’t be opened up in a jiffy but after due consultations with the stakeholders while laying down all the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in this regard, the Sector can be resumed in a phased manner.
As per the reports, the government will soon come up with SOPs for regulating the influx of tourists (during the prevalence of coronavirus) keeping the safety of all the players a priority.
There is a dip of 97 percent tourist arrival in last year and that the uncertain situation prevalent in the region is the main reason for the decline.
The government, as per official records, has spent Rs four crore over its promotional campaigning during the past two years. The department has spent Rs 3.86 crore on advertisements in Indian and international media, including newspapers, magazines, and travel journals, to promote the state’s tourism sector. |
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