Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Aug 7: Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, today said that as the established tourist destinations are overcrowded, the Government is creating new tourist destinations across the country.
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Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of 25th Annual National Convention of Tourist Guides Federation of India at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre, Srinagar, Shekhawat said that established tourist destinations are overcrowded. “… so we must develop new tourist destinations. We have urged all State Governments to discuss the creation of new tourist destinations, develop proposals, and present them to the Government of India,” he said.
When asked about the lack of facilities like roads at new tourist destinations in Kashmir, the Minister said that from infrastructure to all other necessities required to make a place a holistic tourist destination, the Government is committed to providing the necessary connectivity and communication.
Shekhawat said that Kashmir has witnessed a more than 15 percent increase in the number of footfalls since the end of the pandemic. He made a mention of lavender cultivation in South Kashmir and said that more than 2.5 million people have visited the Valley in the recent past just to catch a glimpse of this.
He said that popular tourist destinations are witnessing a huge rush of visitors and it is therefore necessary to divert both domestic and foreign tourists towards virgin and offbeat destinations.
Shekhawat said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has opened new avenues of development, changing the world’s view towards India. “The pace and manner in which India has progressed have amazed the world, leading many to take notice and seek to know India better,” he added.
“Additionally, with the improvement of the economy, Indians have started exploring their own country more, giving a significant boost to the tourism sector. This growth in tourism is expected to make it a major economic and employment generator in the country”.
The Minister said that tourism will be the driving force behind making India the third-largest economy in the world.
“We are working to make India the third-largest economy in the world under Narendra Modi’s leadership. We have successfully transformed our nation, elevating it from the 11th to the 5th position in the global economy, and we are now striving to reach the third position. I state with full confidence that tourism will be the driving force behind making India the third-largest economy in the world. We are all working together towards this goal, and I have been given the charge of this sector with this aim,” he said.
“The tourist guide is a representative of the country, and recognizing their importance, it is crucial to include them in our efforts and work like a family to advance the tourism sector. I have come to attend this function with this aim in mind. Since this event is being conducted at an important tourist destination, the crown of India, it has gained even more significance,” he said.
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