JAMMU, Nov 16:
While the Kashmir situation remained disturbed since 2016 after the elimination of poster boy Burhan Wani, the tourists inflow increased across Jammu region and in the ten months of 2019, more than 1.36 crore tourists have visited parts of the region.
In the year 2018 also, record number of 1.60 crore tourists visited Jammu region.
As per official figures till the month of October this year, as many as 1,36,82,100 (crores) tourists have visited the region including highest 67,91,712 ( in lakhs) to the world famous Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine.
“The tourists previously also used to visit Jammu region but after 2016, the inflow of tourists to Jammu region has increased manifold,” a tourism official here said.
They said that upto September this year, total number of tourists visited the region was 1,24,13,754 (in crores) and in October, 12, 68, 346 (in lakhs) tourists visited parts of Jammu region.
An official said that in 2018, record number of 85.959 (in lakhs) pilgrims paid obeisance at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine and so far till October this year, 67,91, 712 (in lakhs) pilgrims visited the Shrine.
Meanwhile till the month of October, after Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, 12,34,506 (in lakhs) pilgrims visited the Shiv Khori Cave Shrine in Reasi district, 16,00,333 (in lakhs) to Shahdara Sharief in Rajouri district, 1,55,296 (in lakhs) to Patnitop in Ramban district, 8,55,749 (in lakhs) to Mansar in Samba district, 67,922 to Suchetgarh in R S Pura Sector of Jammu district, 3,08,825 (in lakhs) to Chichi Mata Temple in Samba district, 3,28,685 to Sukrala Mata in Billawar tehsil of Kathua district, 41,649 to Mata Bala Sundari in Kathua district, 1,31,199 (in lakhs) to Sanasar in Ramban district, 4,89,702 (in lakhs) to Ziarat Sain, Miran Sahib, 1,266,23 to Nangali Sahib, Poonch, 822416 to Bhaderwah in Doda district, 2,56,546 to Jammu Airport and 4,70937 to Jammu Railway Station.
An official added that in 2008, 83.31 (in lakhs) tourists visited Jammu region but with each passing year, the inflow of tourists from different parts of the country and the world has increased manifold.
In 2009, 103.47 lakhs, in 2010, 116.34 lakhs, in 2011, 134.85 lakhs, in 2012, 142.63 lakhs, in 2013, 124.333 lakhs, in 2014, 101.962 lakhs, in 2015, 123.853 lakhs, in 2016, 122.835 lakhs, in 2017, 133.181 lakhs, in 2018, 160.469 lakhs tourists visited prominent parts of Jammu region.
Meanwhile, Directorate of Tourism, Jammu in the recent past has also made vigorous efforts to promote tourism spots and invited tourists from across the globe to visit Jammu and Kashmir and explore the scenic beauty.
The Directorate of Jammu Tourism has also appealed tourists to visit Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory and explore it asserting that the safety of the tourists is an utmost priority.
“The safety of tourist is our foremost priority and Jammu & Kashmir is indeed a blessed region with peace, secure and serene environment,” Deepika K Sharma, Director Tourism Jammu had said yesterday while speaking after inaugurating India Travel Mart, Jammu, India’s Leading Travel, Tourism Exhibition and Conclave here organized in collaboration with J&K Tourism.
The Tourism Director said, “through this Mart we want to spread the message that Jammu and Kashmir is having ample opportunities in Tourism like Leisure, Eco- Tourism, Heritage, Recreation or Adventure”.
Ms Sharma however, appealed to the tourists from across the country and the world through the tourism operators and tour and travel operators participating in the Mart to come and explore scenic and beautiful Jammu and Kashmir.
The purpose of ITM Jammu is to promote tourism by undertaking promotional and publicity activities, facilitate the exchange of market information, encourage partnerships between the public and private sectors and facilitate the easing of barriers to travel. (UNI)
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