‘Promotional efforts futile as long as destinations are closed’
Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Sept 18: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today expressed his displeasure with tourism stakeholders of Jammu and Kashmir, accusing them of failing to support his Government’s promotional efforts and remaining silent in the face of political attacks.
Addressing a closed-door gathering of travel agents at the Gulmarg Convocation Centre, Omar expressed frustration that none of the stakeholders came to his defence when the opposition mounted criticism over tourism-related issues.
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He conveyed his displeasure to the tourism stakeholders after inaugurating the state-of-the-art convention centre at north Kashmir’s ski resort Gulmarg which is expected to boost tourism, promote ‘meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE)’ activities and create new opportunities for local youth and businesses.
The Chief Minister maintained that he had taken several initiatives to promote tourism, including events like a cycling festival in Pahalgam, but felt he lacked backing from tourism stakeholders during political scrutiny.
Omar also questioned the silence of the stakeholders when he was being targeted for a scheduled visit to Paris, described by the travel agents and other stakeholders as an important place for promotion of tourism.
He said the region’s economy has traditionally depended heavily on tourism and its allied trades, and the industry cannot regain its lost vibrancy unless both the public and private stakeholders work hand-in-hand.
The Chief Minister questioned the silence of the stakeholders when they knew that he or his Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani is not going to Paris and that Jammu and Kashmir was too represented by officials and travel associations.
Omar told reporters that Government’s promotion of tourism would be futile as long as major destinations remain closed, calling it a contradiction that undermines the industry.
“They should have taken the necessary steps a long time ago. This is a strange situation. On one hand, we go out and talk about bringing tourists here, and on the other hand, many areas are closed by the Government.”
Omar listed Drang, Doodhpathri, half of Gulmarg, Yusmarg, Tosa Maidan, Aaru, and Betab Valley as destinations shut to visitors. “Either they should tell us not to promote tourism, or they should compensate those who have incurred losses. If we are not opening these places, then tell us, and we will stop the work of tourism promotion. These two things cannot work together,” he said.
Referring to the Pahalgam incident, the Chief Minister said that while the episode should not have occurred, steps had already been taken to prevent such incidents in the future. “Now I think the time has come to open these destinations. It would be better if those responsible for security open them one by one,” he added.
Omar also made it clear that lease agreements of all the hotels across tourism destinations in Jammu, Katra, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Srinagar and Gulmarg will be scrutinised soon.
The Chief Minister also appeared upset over what he called the “selective leakage” of official orders, noting that while he signs numerous directives daily, only certain ones are exposed to the media and the opposition.
Omar questioned the need to place Peoples Conference president Sajad Lone and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti under house arrest, following the death of former Hurriyat leader Professor Abdul Gani Bhat.
Professor Bhat passed away on Wednesday evening at his residence in Sopore, North Kashmir.
“What would have happened if Sajad Lone and Mehbooba Mufti had gone to the family to offer condolences? Nothing. They were going only for condolences. Is our security grid so fearful that it cannot even trust leaders to visit for condolences? This is not good for J&K, especially for Naya Kashmir,” Omar said while speaking to reporters at Gulmarg.
The Chief Minister’s comments came after Sajad Lone and Mehbooba Mufti said earlier today that they were placed under house arrest, preventing them from visiting Professor Bhat’s family.
Earlier, Omar inaugurated the Gulmarg Convention Centre, expressing hope that the world-class facility would help position Gulmarg as a premier destination for international events and conventions, “on the scale of an Asian or Indian Davos.”
Constructed at a cost of Rs 21 crore by the NBCC, the Centre aims to promote tourism, culture, business convergence and international conferencing in Jammu and Kashmir. Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Gulmarg Pirzada Farooq A Shah, Additional Chief Secretary Tourism Dr. Ashish Chandra Verma, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Minga Sherpa, Director Tourism Kashmir Raja Farooq Yaqoob, CEO GDA Tariq Hussain and other senior officers were present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of the Ski Hire Shop, to be developed by the J&K Cable Car Corporation, further strengthening Gulmarg’s tourism infrastructure.
Addressing the gathering, Omar said while constructing physical infrastructure was important, its meaningful use and upkeep was even more critical.
“It is the easiest thing to build four walls. The real responsibility begins with their use and maintenance,” he said, pointing out that while NBCC completed the project within time and budget, the furnishing component was missing from the original DPR. “Tourism Department, my Advisor and myself are working to finalise the furnishing so that the Centre can be put to immediate use,” he added.
“Education, Health, Social Welfare and other departments can hold programmes here, ensuring the Centre’s optimum use while giving participants a refreshing change of location,” he said.
Congratulating the NBCC and the Gulmarg Development Authority, Omar Abdullah said the project was a landmark addition to Gulmarg’s tourism profile.
“With proper management, Gulmarg Convention Centre will not only serve as a hub for conferences and international gatherings but also become a vibrant space for recreational and cultural tourism,” he added.
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