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| Showcasing J&K: Minister meets tour operators | | | NEW DELHI, JANUARY 16- Minister for Tourism & Culture, Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora today said that the State Government has embarked upon a massive infrastructure development programme for tourism in the state with many new and unexplored areas coming up on to the tourism circuit.
Addressing the 3rd Annual Convention of Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI) here, he said these new initiatives include a host of new destinations and niche areas for the leisure, the golfers, pilgrim and the heritage enthusiasts. From the mountains of Ladakh to the greenest Asian valley of Kashmir and right up to the plains of Jammu, the State is now ready and fully equipped to receive tourists in large numbers, he said.
Jora said the massive turnout of voters in the recent elections has given boost not only to an entirely new and peaceful era but it would also provide conducive space to full revitalization of the tourist sector as the premier economic activity in the State. He said the State has got a climatic, geographical and cultural variety of almost continental dimensions, adding the Government has projected Ladakh as the North Pole of India and Kashmir as a more accessible and cost-effective alternative to Europe.
Jora said over the recent years, tourist arrivals to the State have shown a substantial increase and Kashmir valley recorded an unprecedented one million mark in 2008. He said though the unfortunate turn of events in June last cut the season short, there was a very obvious silver lining to the situation. All the tourists and pilgrims to Amarnath were taken full care of by the industry operators, Government agencies and, more importantly, by the society at large, he said.
Jora said Ladakh showed a sharp increase in the arrival of domestic tourists. The region has now the desired infrastructure for the high-end tourists both from home and abroad. The glorious heritage of Ladakh, its rich scenic beauty and distinct personality has made it a brand by itself. But it has been part of the fabled Silk Route as well and we are now making an effort to rediscover its Silk Route past with all its romance and aroma, the Minister stated.
Appreciating the efforts of ADTOI, the Minister said the organization has been involved in the revival of tourism in the State in a major way. He said this enduring relationship between the State tourism and the ADTOI has yielded results in the past and hoped cementing this relationship and bringing the world to Kashmir.
Secretary Tourism, Nayeem Akhtar, Director Tourism, Kashmir, Farooq Shah and other senior officers of the State also attended the convention.
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