Extensive tourism promotion campaign not yielding results
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Jan 19: Though Tourism Department is regularly conducting extensive promotional campaign in different States yet Jammu and Kashmir has failed to figure among top 10 domestic tourist destinations of the country.
Moreover, 97 projects, which were sanctioned under Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan (PMRP) several years back, have yet not been completed thereby establishing the dilly-dallying approach of the concerned authorities.
At every forum, Government makes tall claims about leaving no stone unturned to promote tourist places of all the three regions of Jammu and Kashmir. Every year huge amount is spent on promotion of these places by organizing road-shows, campaigns and other events.
It is also claimed by the Government that tourism sector plays an important role in the State’s economy. However, the fact remains that J&K has failed to figure among top 10 domestic tourist destinations of the country.
“Tourism sector accounts for around 6.98% of State’s GDP. However, J&K is not among top 10 domestic destinations in the country on the basis of number of tourist arrival”, admitted the Government in the Economic Survey-2017, which was tabled in the Legislature few days back.
The tourism sector has great potential for employment generation even for the people without specialized skills; provides impetus to allied sectors like handicrafts, handlooms and transport; provides indirect and income augmentation activities to the people in the vicinity of resorts and has capacity to provide jobs in the unorganized sector.
J&K has failed to figure among top 10 domestic destinations in the country on the basis of number of tourist arrival despite the fact that Kashmir valley is blessed with lush green tourist resorts while as Jammu region is largely a pilgrimage tourism destination. Similarly, Ladakh is famous for its unique topography and culture.
“Time has come for the Government to introspect about the reasons which are creating hurdles in the way of J&K figuring in the list of top 10 domestic destinations in the country”, official sources said, adding “it is a matter of concern that despite having all the potential J&K has failed to achieve the position which it is deserving”.
During the past several years J&K is witnessing decline in arrival of tourists. This is evident from the official figures, which reveal that in 2012 a total of 12502515 tourists visited the State while as the number declined to 10950620 in 2013. In the year 2014, 9525021 tourists visited the State while as in 2015 the number further declined to 9203691.
In the year 2016 when Kashmir valley witnessed several months’ long unrest, the number of tourists declined to 8434402 while as in 2017 up to ending October 7309285 tourists visited J&K.
According to the Economic Survey, 97 projects which were sanctioned under Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan (PMRP) several years back have yet not been completed by the Tourism Department,.
Of these, 49 projects were allotted under Development Authorities Programme, 3 under Circuit Development Programme and 45 under Rural Tourism Programme.
“With the delinking of Project Infrastructure Development at Destinations and Circuits (PIDDC) Scheme, the Union Ministry has been approached for release of Rs 81.85 crore for completion of these projects. Against this, the Ministry released an amount of Rs 43.45 crore during 2016-17”, the Government said, adding “an amount of Rs 38.41 crore is still required for completion of these projects”.
“The Union Tourism Ministry has intimated that it is contemplating to consider one time dispensation related to PIDDC Projects where more than 50% work has been completed”, the Government said, adding “information as sought by the Union Tourism Ministry has been submitted but the release of Central financial assistance is still awaited”.
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