Promotion of 225 tourist destinations, heritage, religious sites
*75 off-beat trekking routes identified for tourists
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Mar 28: Optimistic about incredible tourism boom this year, the Government has directed the Tourism Department to submit specific plans within one month for promotion of 225 tourist destinations, heritage and religious sites so that necessary steps are taken well in time. Moreover, instructions have been issued for making all destinations litter-free with proper coordination between Tourism Development Authorities and Urban Local Bodies.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that in a high-level meeting held at the Civil Secretariat few days back, the Chief Secretary had a detailed discussion with the Administrative Secretary of the Tourism Department on initiating several measures in a time bound manner so as to provide best possible facilities to the tourists this year.
“We are expecting heavy tourist influx this year as compared to last year and necessary steps are required to be taken by the administration to make the stay of tourists more comfortable and to divert them to hidden and virgin tourist destinations”, sources said quoting the statement made by the Chief Secretary in the meeting, adding “several road-shows recently conducted by the Tourism Department across major cities of the country are going to play crucial role in promoting tourism-related activities in the Union Territory this year especially when there is no immediate fear of any other COVID wave”.
The Chief Secretary further told the Tourism Department that Government has decided to properly project heritage and religious sites before the tourists so as to prolong their stay in Jammu and Kashmir which in turn will give boost to the economy and generate employment opportunities.
Accordingly, the Chief Secretary directed the Tourism Secretary to promote 75 tourist destinations, 75 heritage sites and 75 Sufi/religious sites and submit specific plans within one month so that timely steps are taken in this regard, sources informed.
Moreover, instructions were issued to the Tourism Department to promote 75 off-beat trekking routes besides organizing drives to make all tourist destinations of Jammu and Kashmir litter-free so as to protect the environment especially during the peak tourist season.
“While developing 75 new tourist destinations having niche product/characteristics, the Government wants to tap the potential of cultural and architectural heritage, eco-tourism and adventure tourism of each of the selected sites”, sources said, adding “the Tourism Department has already been asked to raise awareness about such places by organizing dedicated travel, trekking-expeditions, mountain bike adventures and stays around the identified sites”.
Further, both the Divisional Commissioners have been directed by the Government to print brochures of the integrated tourist circuit of Bani-Basohli-Sarthal-Bhaderwah-Doda-Kishtwar for dissemination of the beautiful and pristine places in these areas amongst the potential tourists.
“If the Government succeeds in promoting 225 tourist destinations and religious/heritage sites the economy of the Union Territory will receive big boost during the current year”, sources said, adding “now all depends upon the swiftness of the Tourism Department in submission of plans and initiation of required measures by the Government well in time”.
As the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation has maximum assets to be offered to the tourists, the Chief Secretary has already directed for optimally utilizing all properties and resources of the Corporation and immediate completion of all ongoing projects so that the same is put to productive usage within one month.
Further, the Tourism Development Corporation has been asked to ensure proper maintenance and upkeep of its official website and various social media handles by resolving all accessibility issues in a time bound manner. Moreover, instructions have been issued for streamlining the booking arrangements by adopting dynamic pricing software to offer attractive booking options to tourists and travelers.
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