Srinagar, Oct 02: In an effort to harness the tourist potential of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir government today said it has approached a private air carrier to increase the number of flights to Ladakh to develop the region as a major tourist destination. Efforts are being made to harness the potential of Ladakh by upgrading the existing infrastructure, state Minister for Tourism Ghulam Hassan Mir said here today.
Referring to the demand for more air flights to Leh especially during winter, Mir said the government was making earnest efforts in this regard and that the matter had been taken up with the Sahara Alliance. With private players in the air sector, Ladakh would become the most sought after tourist destination in the world, he said.
Mir said convention tourism would also be promoted at Leh by attracting national and international conferences to the region which is a favourite destination with foreign tourists. Due to the unique topography, Ladakh has enormous potential for adventure tourism. Ice-hockey, skiing and other adventure sports will be promoted by involving travel trade and sports organisations, the minister said.
On the developmental aspects, Mir said Asian Development Bank would be approached for funding a mega sewerage disposal project planned for Leh.
Reviewing the civic amenities and housing problems in Leh, he said a satellite colony would be built to meet the housing demands of the people in the region. Bureau Report