'Tourism biggest casualty of violence'

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti Monday said that violence was hurting the State’s economic interests the most with tourism being the biggest casualty.

“Unfortunately, the state’s tourism and business fraternity has to suffer the brunt when atmosphere of peace is disturbed in the valley by violent incidents,” she said while seeking support of the people in maintaining peace.

"While interacting with the members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Tourism, Transport and Culture headed by Kiranmay Nanda, here last evening, the Chief Minister said her government was in the process of developing new tourist destinations in the State for which it needs adequate financial and technical support from Centre.

“We will involve experts in building state-of-the-art tourism infrastructure at these new destinations,” she said.

 Mehbooba, however said, government won’t allow vandalizing of new resorts as has, unfortunately, happened with some of the most cherished tourist destinations in the state.

“We would allow only development of eco-friendly infrastructure at the upcoming tourist destinations like Tosamaidan, Ranjit Sagar Dam, Mughal Road and Bangus Valley and develop local economic stakes in tourism promotion,” she said and added that tourism is directly linked to economic revival and J&K has been gifted by the God with breathtaking scenic beauty and water resources which need to be harnessed judiciously for tourism promotion.

The Chief Minister hailed the local stakeholders associated with travel and tourism industry for playing a key role in the promotion of tourism.

She said tourism spreads best by the word of mouth and the players associated with the industry have played a key role in establishing a feel-good factor among the tourists.

The Chief Minister, who also holds the charge of the Tourism portfolio, said the department is conceptualizing a plan to promote niche tourism activities in the State including border tourism, religious tourism and adventure tourism.

The other members of the visiting Parliamentary Standing Committee included,
Ritabrata Banerjee, Harish Chnadra Meena, Ram Kumar Sharma, Shatrugan Sinha, Dasrath Tirkey and K C Venogopal.