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| Jammu and Kashmir striving for top position in tourist destinations | | |
Srinagar, Oct 11 : Encouraged by the massive response to Ladakh Festival last month, Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department has decided to organise 15-day 'Kashmir Tourism Festival' every year to make the Kashmir valley number one tourist destination.
The department is also spending Rs 25 crore for the preservation of heritage sites in Srinagar city and taking other measures to make the state round the year tourist destination for global tourists.
Minister for Tourism Nawang Rigzin Jora said holding of Ladakh Festival was a good experience and encouraging. He said the Tourism Department organised 15-day Ladakh Festival in the month of September. But getting good response, the tourist travel agents extended it upto October 15 which helps to boost the economy of the area.
Mr Jora said this year the Kashmir Tourism Festival was a symbolic one. However, in future it will be held for 10 to 15 days and enlisted in the tourism calendar to enable the stake holders to involve themselves in this mega event every year.
It will also be a bonus event to the visiting tourists in the month of October, he said.
Referring to the development of Tulip Garden in the lap of Zabarwan Hills, the Minister said this international recognised garden have pre-poned the summer tourist season by one month.
''Organising tourism festival in the month of October would also help our travel agents to extend the stay of tourists upto end of October'', he added.
Mr Jora said the department has already identified the areas to harness other resources fully for which Rs 25 crore have been sanctioned for the preservation of heritage sites in Srinagar city. He said the tourists have different classes and it is our duty to provide basic infrastructure and awareness about the particular class to the tourist whosoever wants to visit the state as per their choice.
Mr Jora said the government has been working to take necessary steps for enhancing the winter tourism in Jammu and Kashmir also.
Minister of State for Tourism and Culture Nasir Aslam Wani said that the main thrust of coalition government is to make Jammu and Kashmir round the year tourist destination for global tourists.
The target should be achieved by the collective efforts of all the stake holders of the industry and people of the state.
He said, ''we have to work for reclaiming 1989 position of tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir when it was number one tourism destination at the national and international level.'' The Minister said the thrust should be given to provide world class facilities to the new tourist destinations and spots already identified by the Tourism Department to enhance stay of tourists in the valley from four days to 20 days.
He said, ''the other areas where we have to focus was on domestic tourism as the purchasing power of this class of tourist have increased manifold.'' He said for this purpose, the department has already made a comprehensive policy to divert the pilgrimage tourists from Katra to valley and other parts of the state.
Mr Wani said the setting up of 22 Tourism Development Authorities (TDA) would help visiting tourists to enjoy the complete tourist circuit of the state.
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