*Seeks cooperation to restore J&K’s top position in tourism sector
Excelsior Correspondent
MUMBAI, Apr 30: Unveiling his plans to reposition J&K as country’s top tourist and all-season destination, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said he cherishes to promote Gulmarg as India’s Davos, where country’s top business and policymakers can hold annual summits to frame new strategies in economic development.
He gave this clarion call from Mumbai’s famous Hotel Taj Lands End, where he held detailed interactive session with the country’s prominent tour and travel operators. The Chief Minister was flanked by the Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh and Minister for Finance and Culture, Dr. Haseeb A. Drabu.
Drawing a parallel between Davos in Switzerland, which holds annual summits of World Economic Forum (WEF), and Gulmarg, Mufti Sayeed said the valley’s premier resort has all the required paraphernalia to host the country’s business leaders and policymakers for similar economic summits. “Gulmarg is a world-famous tourist destination. We have state-of-the-art cable car, high-end hotels, skiing and heli-skiing activities and great road connectivity. I wish we host Indian Davos at Gulmarg,” he said while seeking cooperation from one and all to change the course of J&K and remove the trust deficits.
Describing tour operators as the lifeline of J&K Tourism, the Chief Minister also sought support of all behind-the-scene players to restore it to its original glory of being country’s top tourist destination. He said the tourism sector had drifted away and with able support from premier tour operators of the country, it will be paddled back to the shores of its brilliant past.
Acknowledging the role of tour and travel players in promoting J&K especially through the recent difficult times, Mufti Sayeed said the State needs to be projected on a much bigger canvas as it offers diversity in culture, rich heritage, range of climates from the sub-tropical terrains of Jammu to the cold deserts of Ladakh, and the stunning locales of Kashmir.
The Chief Minister informed the participants of the Government’s plans to go in for public-private participation through tourism sector by making available public assets for private use.
Promising to end the culture of red-tape and bureaucratic impediments, Mufti Sayeed assured the tour operators of doing business with ease in J&K. “This season, you will definitely find a discernible change in how you are facilitated,” he stated.
Asserting that Kashmir’s enchanting beauty has mesmerised travellers for centuries together, the Chief Minister said the flow of tourists, especially foreigners, to Ladakh, has grown considerably over the last few decades. He said besides the huge influx of pilgrim tourists to Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine at Katra, steps have been taken to promote Jammu as an independent tourist destination. “We can have travel and trade conferences at Patnitop and Bhaderwah. Jammu has a rich cultural history, a piece of which I saw for myself few days back when I visited Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex few days back,” he said and described J&K as a bouquet of three distinct cultures that comes on one platter.
Highlighting the potential of Ranjit Sagar Dam, border tourism of Suchetgarh, Baghliar Dam and upcoming International Yoga Centre at Mantalai in Jammu region, Mufti Sayeed said the tourists will be surprised to find new and equally stunning and unexplored destinations lined up in their itinerary this season.
Stating that the real beauty of Kashmir lies in its mountains, Mufti Sayeed said the State will bring to fore the potential for trekking and expeditions to promote adventure tourism in the State. “The great lake trek from Gangabal to Vishensar and Zanskar in Ladakh to Kishtwar are just two examples of snaking through the great mountain passes to explore the hidden treasures of trekking in Kashmir,” he stated.
The Chief Minister said the world-famous Dal lake will be promoted as a world heritage site and steps are being taken to realign the houseboats to improve the aesthetics of the lake and ensure proper sewage disposal. On a specific query from a tour operator, he said the Government will classify the existing boats into different categories so that the visitors are able to enjoy their stay as per the category they have paid for.
The Chief Minister said the new Government would formulate a strategy to motivate overseas tour operators for organizing foreign tourist groups to Kashmir which is as safe as any other destination in the country.
On the issue of better chopper sorties to the Holy Amarnath Shrine, the Chief Minister said J&K will strive for smooth helicopter rides this season. He also thanked the Central Government for allowing LTC on all private airliners which will increase the tourist footfall to J&K. Earlier this facility was only available in Air India carrier.
Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister said J&K offers tourists a complete package that comes along with pilgrim and heritage tourism of Jammu, nature tourism of Kashmir and adventure tourism of Ladakh. He made a specific mention of Sindhu Darshan at Leh, which attracts a large number of national and overseas pilgrims and visitors.
While replying to a question, Minister for Finance & Culture, Dr. Haseeb A. Drabu called for conceptualizing a business-cum-pleasure package for country’s 4000 leading companies. He said the State offers the right environs for conference and convention tourism. He said attractive golf packages for high-end tourists will also be framed.
On the issue of high cost of travel to Kashmir, Dr. Drabu said the State Government is planning chartered flights in peak season to offer fair rates to the travellers. He said the Government has also taken up the issue of night-landing facility for airline carriers at Srinagar Airport. “Special trains from Ahmedabad, Pune, Nagpur, Mumbai and several other places are also being planned to increase footfall of domestic tourists,” he added.
While Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas and Commissioner /Secretary Tourism, Shailendra Kumar answered the queries raised by the participants, MD JKTDC and Director Tourism, Kashmir, Farooq Ahmad Shah, presented the vote of thanks.
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