SRINAGAR: Development of requisite tourist infrastructure in consonance with environmental requirements is necessary to restore tourism glory of Jammu and Kashmir and make world famous resorts like Gulmarg round the year tourist attraction, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said here.
“Comfortable accommodation and best service delivery act as driving force to attract visitors to come again and again and enjoy the hospitality of the people and the natural beauty,” Omar said inaugurating a modern tourist facility created in the private sector at the famous ski resort of Gulmarg, 55 kms from here.
“The Khyber”, an 85-room five star luxury hotel with hi-tech modern facilities is spread over seven Fir-laden acres and has been designed in the local Kashmiri architecture with luxury furniture, furnishings and fixtures.
The Chief Minister said his government has concentrated on holistic development of tourism making eco-tourism fulcrum in the creation of new facilities and upgrading the existing ones.
“The natural beauty is God’s gift to the state and tourism is the key sector to catapult economy and generate jobs for people round the year,” he said adding, it is imperative to maintain and conserve this natural beauty and bio-diversity of the state for present and next generations.
“This is the national duty of all of us,” Omar said and called for joint and wholehearted efforts by government, private sector and public to safeguard the natural resorts and preserve their beauty.
Omar said visit of about 12 lakh visitors to the Valley this year indicates the interest people of the country and outside possess for visiting Jammu and Kashmir and enjoying the beauty God has bestowed upon it.
The Chief Minister said besides conventional tourism, government is focusing to harnessing the great potential of adventure, pilgrim and sports tourism.
“Organizing events of adventure and sports tourism and making skiing, mountain biking, white water rafting, trekking, hiking and mountaineering regular features in tourism calendar would help to give thrust to comprehensive development of tourism,” he said. .
Omar said ‘Gandola’ and Chairlifts in Gulmarg have enhanced the orbit of organizing more winter sport events in this place and attract visitors from all over the world.
He said development and upgradation of Golf Course at Gulmarg has added another attraction for the tourists.
“In fact the government has created a golf circuit in the state by developing Golf Courses at Sidhra Jammu, Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and one is under construction at Leh.
This has provided opportunity to the golfers to enjoy the sport in different geographical situations and climate during their visit to the state,” he said.
Omar said organizing of golf events during summer have showcased this aspect of sports tourism of the state.
Other activities need to be given further push to rope in tourists of varied interests, he said.
Omar said equal attention is being given to divert huge number of pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishno Devi to visit and stay at places like Surinsar, Mansar, Patnitop, Jammu and other places of tourist and religious importance.
“Development of these places on modern lines and in agreement with the environmental requirements is being attended by the concerned Development Authorities and Tourism Department,” he said adding Central assistance available for the purpose is also being utilized in this regard. -PTI
Thank You For Your Vote!
Sorry You have Already Voted!
