- New Era In J&K Has Created International Interest
- J&K Has Become Most Preferred Destination For Filmmakers
Srinagar- Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that J&K has witnessed unprecedented growth post Covid pandemic and roughly 300% YoY (Year-on-Year) increase in foreign tourists.
“Greater efforts and attention were paid to new policies, conducive environment, stimulus for the tourism industry and new experiences and value creation for year-round employment,” the LG said.
Addressing the two-day Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Conclave-2024 at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), Sinha said that J&K’s tourism industry has gone through a massive transformation over the past few years.
In his address, the LG extended his felicitations to the esteemed members from industry, film, trade and travel management agencies.
He highlighted the efforts of the UT Administration to develop a sustainable tourism model to build J&K as one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world.
At the Conclave, the LG shared the impressive strides of J&K’s Tourism sector and emergence of Jammu Kashmir on the global tourism map.
“Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the new era in J&K has created international interest while also encouraging domestic tourists to visit J&K. This transformation is enriching local communities and helping us to build a modern tourism industry,” the LG said.
He said, the increase in domestic tourist arrivals is a testament to the strength and potential of our holistic approach for the development of the tourism sector and developing partnership between industry and communities for growth of associated business activities and employment.
The LG gave valuable suggestions on important segments to boost the tourismsector and transform the socio-economic condition of the stakeholders.
He called for collective efforts from experts and industry leaders to explore the potential of adventure, border & heritage tourism, offbeat destinations, golf, bird-watching and agro-tourism in Jammu Kashmir. Destination weddings can also become a key driver for the growth of the tourism sector of Jammu Kashmir, he said.
The LG emphasised on chalking out a strategic roadmap to facilitate maximum private investment in the tourism and hospitality sector.
After decades, Bollywood has returned to the valley. The Competitive Film policy has created a vibrant film ecosystem in the UT. Today, Jammu Kashmir has become the most preferred destination for the filmmakers. Experts and our representatives from the Filmindustry must draw a roadmap to realise its full potential, the LG observed.
We must lead the country by ensuring mandatory quality standards through the quality certification mechanism for facilities and resources in the tourism & hospitality sector, the LG said.
The LG provided valuable inputs on brand-building and promotion of J&K’s tourism sector through innovative marketing, IT and digital tools.
In the past few years, we have witnessed an unprecedented tourist influx to the UT. Ease of Travel for tourists, high customer value and professional & skilled manpower are some of the areas we must focus on to strengthen this sector, the LG said.
He called for strategic collaborations of administration, community, travel trade and industry players for value addition and enhancing the experience of tourists.
The LG emphasized on time bound implementation of suggestions and inputs received from experts and stakeholders during the conclave.
During the two-day Tourism Development Conclave-2024, the participants will deliberate on strategies, development models and innovative approaches to promote sustainable tourism practices in J&K.
Prominent personalities associated with the film and entertainment industry including Imtiaz Ali, Vishal Bhardwaj, Kabir Khan and Sanjay Suri are attending the conclave.
Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa; Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to LGr; Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Yasha Mudgal, Commissioner Secretary Tourism Department, senior officials, industry leaders and various stakeholders were present.
‘G-20 Meeting In Srinagar Was A Turning Point’
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Wednesday said that last year’s successful and peaceful G-2- working group meeting in Srinagar was the turning point in boosting the UT’s tourism potential and removing the scars from the once struggling tourism industry. He said post G-20 meeting foreign as well as domestic tourists started flocking to J&K in large numbers.
Sinha addressed ‘J&K Tourism Development Conclave’, organized by J&K Tourism Department, in Srinagar on Wednesday. The LG said that J&K’s tourism industry has gone through a massive transformation over the past few years.
“The turning point to give to give J&K’s once ailing tourism sector a real boost was the successful and peaceful G-20 Tourism working group meeting in Srinagar last year. Those who participated in the working group meeting here became the brand ambassadors of J&K’s tourism,” the LG said.
He said post G-20 working group meeting in Srinagar, foreign and domestic tourist arrivals showed a significant increase. “Those who participated in the Tourism working group meeting in Srinagar last year talked highly of Kashmir’s hospitality and beauty. The result of the word they spread is before us…,” the LG said.
He said even though the Tourism sector contributes to J&K’s economy, Agriculture and allied sectors too have a huge potential of generating employment to boost the economy of the UT. “I met a few youth who left their government jobs mid-way and shaped their future in Agriculture and allied sectors. Today, they provide employment to dozens of other youths as well,” LG Sinha said.
The LG took a jibe at some people, who according to him, claim to be “jack of all jobs.” “This mind-set needs to be changed. A prominent hotelier Mushtaq Chaya owns half of Srinagar land. He came to me once and sought land for setting up his office. I told him I need one kanal from him for the government,” the LG said sarcastically.
About the people having “conflict properties”, the LG said that these properties need to be identified. “We stand by our commitment of not touching the innocents but accused and those trying to destabilise peace won’t be spared at any cost,” he warned.
About the Tatoo Ground in Srinagar that was vacated by the army after 50 years, the LG said that the place will have a start of the art amusement park where tourists would love to spend the entire day. “Srinagar will host lakhs of tourists soon just because of the renovated Tatoo Ground,” he said.
On renovated Polo View Srinagar, the LG said that he met the shopkeepers of the market and came to know that their business has increased three times due to tourist rush.
The LG urged the participants of the meeting and stakeholders to come up with a road map for promotion of spiritual tourism, adventure tourism, summer tourism, eco-tourism, wildlife tourism, religious tourism, Bird Watching and Agriculture Tourism. “India has a 130 million dollar wedding industry and J&K is the best Wedding destination. I hope that J&K gets its share from this huge industry,” he said.
Stating that J&K is getting the cheapest power in the country than Himachal, Punjab and Haryana, the LG said J&K has the lowest crime rate in the country and is safe for all.
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