news details |
|
|
| Think globally, act locally – Jora's new tourism mantra | | Adventure sports, cultural tourism high on agenda | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, JANUARY 17 – Following the return of a democratically-elected Government in the State under the leadership of a young and dynamic leader, there is an air of expectation among the people that various potential sectors will be taken up for development on priority, which will improve the socio-economic conditions in the State. Among these, tourism sector, for long the backbone of J&K's economy, tops the list.
Not only does tourism provide much-needed foreign exchange, but also tremendous employment opportunities for our youth, since the sector is intertwined with State's rich art, culture and heritage. As of now, the sector is at low ebb, owing to the unfortunate events of last year, but the good news is that it can only get better and it is expected that we will have a bumper season this year.
The early signals from the new Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Nawang Rogzin Jora have been encouraging. His statement of dovetailing tourism with heritage to attract more tourists is an innovative idea that needs to show results on ground. Attaching the portfolio of Culture with the all important tourism sector is an indicator in that direction. The Minister's recent visit to Mubarak Mandi Complex to inspect its conservation and renovation is the first step in that direction. During the visit, the Minister made it clear that cultural tourism will attract more visitors to the State and enhance its image further.
The minister also dwelt at length on pilgrim tourism, which has great scope in all the three regions of the State. "All our three regions have distinct identities, which is its strength. We have devotees coming to Vaishno Devi and Shahdara Sharief in Jammu province, Amarnath in Kashmir province and also Sindhu Darshan in Ladakh region. We have to reach out to them and see that they discover J&K beyond their religious beliefs. The tourist confidence has to be restored", Mr. Jora said.
Mr. Jora's meeting with the tour operators in New Delhi, where he said that the State is fully geared up to receive as many tourists was an equally important one, as some travel agents were apprehensive about the State's ability to absorb them. However, much is needed to be done to improve the tourism infrastructure in the State so that gaps are closed. "We have to focus on both the foreign as well as domestic tourists. Several countries have travel advisories on Kashmir which have to be withdrawn and the recent voter turnout is a positive indicator in that direction. Identifying new tourist spots will be the priority of the Government. The creation of independent tourism development authorities is a step in that direction. The State should not be known only for health resorts like Gulmarg, Pahalgam or Patnitop. We have much much more to offer", explained the Minister in an exclusive interview with the State Information Department.
The tourism department has already launched a drive to identify more scenic spots this season. In this direction, already new spots like Bungus and Neelam Valleys in remote areas of north Kashmir, the ragged mountains of Zanskar and Nobra valleys in Ladakh and Bhaderwah, in Doda district of Jammu province have emerged on the tourist map of the State.
The Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah's statement that a fortnight-long Gurez Adventure Tourism Festival would be organized this summer to give boost to tourism sector in the area will go a long way in kick-starting the expansion project. "We will ensure that the infrastructure requirements of the new spots are taken up on priority", Mr. Jora said. "Current allocation of funds is a bare minimum and more funds are required to be sourced to develop and upgrade tourism infrastructure in the State", he added.
The Minister also said that tourism has a cascading effect on the economy and urged the people involved in the sector to benefit from various promotional schemes launched by the Government. He made pointed reference to a new scheme to promote tourism in rural areas, where unemployed youth in several tourist villages are provided up to Rs. 2 lacs for upgrading a portion of their house to be rented out to tourists as paying guests. "In other States, this scheme has been extremely effective as it sows the seeds of development at a micro-level. I will ask the concerned authorities to provide publicity to these schemes here as well", said the Minister.
The State government has also formulated a special package for revival of tourism which includes many schemes under which soft loans are provided for reactivating tourism units in the private sector such as houseboats and outright investment subsidy for setting up popular units at lesser known areas of the State.
While interacting with the Information Department, Mr. Jora made special mention of State's potential in adventure sports. His announcement to hold adventure sports meets in mountainous areas is a beginning in that direction. "We have to target western tourist and present J&K as a viable alternative to an expensive destination like Switzerland. We have to think globally and act locally", the Minister said, adding, "Nature has given us great gifts in the form of lofty mountains, mesmerising landscapes, gushing rivers and unexplored beauty spots. J&K is an adventure sport lover's paradise. We will formulate a strategy in which sports like rafting, rock climbing, mountaineering, skating, besides winter sports will be promoted in a big way".
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
