J&K will once again see a surge of tourists: Tourism Minister
In recent years, the picturesque state of Jammu and Kashmir has been a magnet for tourists from all over the world. The stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality of the locals have made it a popular destination for adventure seekers and leisure travelers alike. However, the terrorist attack on the Pahalgam tourist resort in August 2019 had a devastating impact on the state’s tourism industry. The attack, which left several people dead and injured many more, sent shockwaves across the country and led to a significant decline in tourist arrivals in the state.
But, it seems that the worst is behind us. Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has expressed optimism that Jammu and Kashmir will once again see a surge of tourists in the coming days. According to Shekhawat, the efforts of the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government have helped to revive the tourism industry in the state.
The Minister’s comments came during his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, where he held meetings with senior officials of the state government and tourism industry stakeholders. Shekhawat said that the Pahalgam terrorist attack had badly hit tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, but the Centre and the state government have been working together to ensure that the industry is back on its feet.
“We have been working tirelessly to ensure that the tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir gets back on track,” Shekhawat said. “We have taken several measures to enhance the security of tourists and to promote the state’s tourism potential. I am confident that Jammu and Kashmir will once again see a surge of tourists in the coming days.”
To revive the tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre and the state government have been working together to promote the state’s tourism potential. The government has been promoting the state’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and adventure sports through various campaigns and initiatives.
One of the key initiatives is the ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ (See Your Own Country) campaign, which aims to promote domestic tourism in the country. The campaign, which was launched by the Ministry of Tourism, encourages Indians to explore their own country and discover its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.
Jammu and Kashmir has also been a key focus area of the campaign, with the government promoting the state’s tourism potential through various initiatives. The government has been promoting the state’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and adventure sports through various campaigns and initiatives.
In addition to promoting the state’s tourism potential, the government has also been working to enhance the security of tourists in the state. The government has been working with the security agencies to ensure that tourists are safe and secure while traveling in the state.
The government has also been promoting the state’s tourism industry through various initiatives, including the development of new tourist infrastructure and the promotion of local tourism products. The government has been working with the private sector to develop new tourist infrastructure, including hotels, resorts, and tourist facilities.
The government has also been promoting local tourism products, including handicrafts, textiles, and cuisine. The government has been working with local artisans and entrepreneurs to promote their products and to create employment opportunities for them.
The efforts of the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government to revive the tourism industry in the state are already showing results. According to the state government, the number of tourists visiting the state has increased significantly in the past few months.
In August 2019, just a few months after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, the state received around 1.5 lakh tourists. However, in August 2022, the state received around 3.5 lakh tourists, which is a significant increase of around 133% over the previous year.
The increase in tourist arrivals is a testament to the efforts of the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government to revive the tourism industry in the state. The government’s efforts to promote the state’s tourism potential and to enhance the security of tourists have helped to boost confidence among tourists and to attract more visitors to the state.
In conclusion, while the Pahalgam terrorist attack had a devastating impact on the tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government are working together to revive the industry. The government’s efforts to promote the state’s tourism potential and to enhance the security of tourists are already showing results, and we can expect to see a surge of tourists in the state in the coming days.
