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Tourism shows signs of picking up in J&K
Srinagar, June 10: Tourism, the mainstay of Kashmir economy is picking up following improvement in the security situation in the state after the change of government, the state assembly was informed.
Srinagar, June 10: Tourism, the mainstay of Kashmir economy is picking up following improvement in the security situation in the state after the change of government, the
state assembly was informed.
Asserting that revival of tourism is in the interest of
the people of the state, Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Minister
Ghulam Hassan Mir said there were some hopeful signs as 36356
tourist visited the valley this year till date as against 9487
in the corresponding period last year.
The increase in the tourist arrival was mainly because of change in the situation and the efforts made by the government to revive tourism, the minister said.
He said government was keen to attract all categories of tourists so that economic benefits are dispersed in different segments of our population.
As regards elite tourists, he said, government made an effort and even organized ambassadors' golf cup in Kashmir.
This has helped in somewhat negating the advisories issued by some countries against visiting Kashmir due to turbulence.
Responding to members of the opposition benches on the importance of royal springs golf course, constructed by the previous NC government, he said the golf course was indeed an infrastructure laid with a huge expenditure of Rs 37 crore and loss of considerable green cover.
In the given situation, Mir said, it should not have been the priority. He said the golf course requires Rs.2.50 crore annually for its maintenance. The government has to consider ways and means to mop up enough resources from this infrastructure so a to foot at least its maintenance charges, he added.
Bureau Report
The increase in the tourist arrival was mainly because of change in the situation and the efforts made by the government to revive tourism, the minister said.
He said government was keen to attract all categories of tourists so that economic benefits are dispersed in different segments of our population.
As regards elite tourists, he said, government made an effort and even organized ambassadors' golf cup in Kashmir.
This has helped in somewhat negating the advisories issued by some countries against visiting Kashmir due to turbulence.
Responding to members of the opposition benches on the importance of royal springs golf course, constructed by the previous NC government, he said the golf course was indeed an infrastructure laid with a huge expenditure of Rs 37 crore and loss of considerable green cover.
In the given situation, Mir said, it should not have been the priority. He said the golf course requires Rs.2.50 crore annually for its maintenance. The government has to consider ways and means to mop up enough resources from this infrastructure so a to foot at least its maintenance charges, he added.
Bureau Report