Srinagar, Feb 19 (KNS) Director Tourism Kashmir Dr G N Itoo said Tourists arrival has increased in last two-three months.

 Talking to "Kashmir News Service" (KNS), Dr Itoo said, "This is due vigorous campaign, mobilization that we were able to attract more tourists. The other stakeholders, like tour & travel association, houseboat owners and hoteliers have played a key role to resume the tourism activates in Kashmir".

"We have also conducted road shows in other states of the country to attract more and more tourists. Since I have assumed the charge as director tourism, I have conducted three major webinars with travel operators of Mumbai, Kolkata and Ahmadabad, because from these places we receive highest number of tourists. Besides this we have decided to conduct a tourist festival in each season. In coming days we will have a series festivals. We will begin from Phalgam, in march during the almond bloom, we will have “Badamwari festival, where we will call people who are connected with our cultural, handicraft section, after this we will have “Tulip Festival” and “Houseboat festival. This will be one of the major activity to boost tourism campaign", he said.

He also said that from November Kashmir has received around 50 thousand tourists from the other states of India and 70 thousand local tourists. "In past two, three months we have received more than 1 lac tourists. This is a good beginning and will build our confidence to have more tourists. We have guidelines, SOPs for tourists soon so that they can feel safe and secure while visiting Kashmir."

"Earlier we have received people from bollywood and other celebrities, to promote the tourism destinations of Kashmir. At this moment the people from “bollywood” and “Tollywood” are shooting here in Kashmir, and for us it’s an opportunity to utilize their presence to promote the tourism of Kashmir," he said.

"One of the main concern is fair charges for tourist, who are coming from other states of the country, the fair charges are rising, but in this regard we have talked to ministry in center to look into the matter. We have also directed the hoteliers and houseboat owners to corporate in this regard so that the tourists who are visiting here have easy access and good experience,"  he said.

He thanked media for promoting the tourism of Kashmir by airing positive stories.

"This is really a good start.

After the relaxation in Covid19 lockdown on trial basis we have thrown open Phalgam and Gulmarg because we were in winter and in Gulmarg and Pahlgam we have very good arrangement for tourists during winter compared to other tourist destinations, where we have minimum arrangements but in future days the summer is advancing and we will explore and invite tourist to other beautiful tourist destinations, like Sonmarg, Doodhpathri, Bangus, we have un-doubtly vast potential for tourism. All this can be achieved with the contribution of local people and other local stakeholders,"Dr Itoo added.

The department of tourism is just a platform, the locals has to play a key role, he said.

Our doors are always open whatever be the suggestions to explore the tourism of Kashmir, the suggestions are welcome, he added.(KNS)