Excelsior Correspondent
GUREZ, Aug 21: Minister for Tourism, Ghulam Ahmad Mir has said that all available resources would be utilized to promote tourism in the State which is a main source of income for Jammu and Kashmir, adding that Gurez is crown of Kashmir and has opened new vistas for growth of Kashmir tourism industry.
This was stated by the Tourism Minister at the inaugural function of 2-day Gurez festival. He said Gurez festival was a great success and more such events would be organized in future to promote tourism in the Valley.
Minister of State for Animal Sheep Husbandry and PHE, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, who is also MLA of Gurez was present on the occasion.
Addressing a public gathering at Dawar, Tourism Minister said the Gurez tourism festival is a part of the new tourism promotion strategy of the Government to attract as many tourists to unknown natural places.
Expressing optimism about the future of state with regard to tourism growth, the Tourism Minister said peace and harmony was imperative for the multifarious development of tourism and allied sectors and the state has great days ahead.
“Tourism is fastest growing and promising sector in the world and Jammu and Kashmir has been the most favoured tourist destination of International/ National visitors”, Mir said, adding that there was a need to develop this lucrative industry in the state on the European pattern
The 2-day long festival organized by Tourism Department with the aim to highlight the virgin tourism potential of Gurez in and outside the country. During the festival days different tourist related activities carried out at various tourism spots with focus to highlight leisure, adventure, river and eco-tourism besides art and culture of the Valley.
Mir said the abundant multi tourism potential of the area needs to be explored and it was the right time to explore this fully adding that various initiatives have been taken up to upgrade the tourism infrastructure in Valley. He said besides creating tourist related infrastructure facilities worth crores of rupees, the Centre in principal has agreed to provide funds to the tune of Rs 8 crore to the State Government for upgradation of tourist related infrastructure facilities in Gurez and Tulail valley. He said the infrastructure facilities at Peer Baba Razdan top would be also upgraded and way side amenities would be also created on way to Gurez, adding that necessary directions in this regard have given to the concerned authorities to prepare project reports for allotment of funds.
Minister for Animal & Sheep Husbandry, Nazir Gurezi in his address hailed the Government efforts to focus keen attention to promote the God gifted tourism potential of Gurez. He said that the natural beauty of Gurez needed to be highlighted to both foreign and domestic tourists. “in the valley of Kashmir, if there is any spot for tourism which should be opened, where beauty exists, where the people are very caring and loving from their heart and are hospitable, then it is only Gurez”, Gurazi said.
Director Tourism, Talat Parvaz gave details of organizing the festival adding that the aim of the festival is to highlight the abundant tourism potential of Gurez.
District Development Commissioner, Bandipora, M.Y. Zargar, Senior Superintendent of Police, B.A. Khan, Managing Director, JKTDC, Shameem Wani, District officers, Tour and Travel Operators, tourists and locals attended the festival and evinced the different activities. The Ministers also inspected the stalls established by various departments of the district, creating awareness about various welfare and beneficial schemes of the Government.
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