*Addresses TAAI J&K Chapter
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 11: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said today that his Government is working to improve the experience of tourists coming to J&K, maintaining that tourists who come to Kashmir should want to return.
He stated this during his speech at the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) event ‘Rally for the Valley’-Let’s go to Jammu and Kashmir-a tourism revival initiative in J&K. The event was organised by TAAI’s J&K chapter.
“Tourists have a journey or an experience. That they go home and tell others about it. I think there are lessons we’ve all learned over the past few months,” the Chief Minister said in his speech at the event.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the J&K Government is using this time to improve infrastructure and overall visitor experience.
“I have already given instructions to the Cable Car Corporation to upgrade the gondola in Gulmarg, so that capacity is increased, ticketing is improved, and the overall experience is enhanced. The same applies elsewhere in J&K,” he said.
He extended his gratitude to the TAAI delegation and its President Sunil Kumar for visiting Kashmir.
He said that for the tourism fraternity in Jammu and Kashmir, the TAAI delegation’s visit under such circumstances is a true reminder of TAAI’s commitment to J&K and the friendship and relationship shared with the region.
Talking about the Baisaran terror attack on tourists, he emphasized the importance of learning from the past.
“It’s hard to talk about the future without looking back to understand how we got here. The tragic incident on April 22 in Baisaran must never be forgotten-and it shouldn’t be. It was a tragedy for the families of 26 people-25 of our guests and one of our local. A tragedy for their children and families. That tragedy touched everyone in J&K. For the first time in my memory, people across Jammu and especially in Kashmir spontaneously came out to denounce the attack, to speak out and stand in solidarity,” he said.
“What happened after April 22 was not orchestrated by any political party or organization-it was spontaneous, heartfelt. The people of Kashmir wanted to show the rest of the country and the world that the attack was not in their name. It didn’t represent them, wasn’t in line with their values, and they didn’t want to remain silent and let anyone believe that they were complicit.”
The Chief Minister added, “There is no doubt that we are in a winter of catastrophic proportions. But winter is just a season. It can’t last forever. The snow must melt.”
On the significant improvement in connectivity, he highlighted the addition of rail services to the region.
“Today Kashmir has a railway. You were able to cross the highest railway bridge in the world-which is a testament to the hard work of engineers and the companies that built it. You crossed the only cable-stayed railway bridge in the country. And you did this in a region of extreme challenges,” he further said.
“We hope more people will come. The reason I mention the highest railway bridge in the world is because there may be a time limit on how long we can claim this record. We should have as many people as possible cross this bridge. Because right now, we can claim we have the highest railway bridge in the world.”
The Chief Minister said he looks forward to continuing the relationship with TAAI.
Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, Members of Legislative Assembly Mubarak Gul, Farooq Ahmed Shah, Tanvir Sadiq, renowned hoteliers from Kashmir Mushtaq Chaya and Mushtaq Burza, President TAAI Sunil Kumar, Chairman TAAI J&K Chapter, various stakeholders from the tourism and hospitality sectors, and other concerned officials were also present during the occasion.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
