Srinagar, May 20 (KNS): People's Conference Chairman Sajad Lone on Tuesday suggested a roadmap for revival of tourism—a short term strategy and a long term strategy.
"The short term strategy should focus on ensuring survival of existing tourism units in the private sector.
The challenges facing the tourism industry necessiate an economic package. In expectation for huge tourist footfalls thousands of crores have been invested in creating infrastructure for tourists. And the tragedy at Pahalgam followed by violent conflict between India and Pakistan has meant zero tourist arrivals. There is a full fledged economic calamity facing J & K. These are extraordinary circumstances and need an extraordinary responses. In the v short term at least 500000 people will be rendered unemployed directly and indirectly. And many will have impending EMI dates staring at their faces with no money to pay. The government needs to make a move before a wave of NPAs strikes this sector," he wrote on X.
An economic package has to be a bail out package which could mean waiving off interest for newcomers, small start ups in the tourism sector and also existing small players. It could also mean offering subsidies. Big players have the capacity to take a hit. The small players will just vanish, if the government doesn’t intervene., he added.
The airlines, the hotels could offer generous discounts. The Union government could ensure that major governmental events at the national level are held in Kashmir to reestablish a sense of security amongst the potential tourists. A holistic approach with contribution from all stakeholders is absolutely essential., it also reads.
"Pahalgam tragedy can be a reference point to not lower the guard. Terror cannot be contained indefinitely until it is conclusively defeated. And even when defeated, there is nothing like terror proof.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThe local stakeholders in the tourism sector will have to partly ensure that their guests are safe. Our hard earned learning curves over the last three decades are v important in ensuring common sense form of security for the guests," Sajad Lone's post on X reads.
And then there is the political class of which I am a part. I would very humbly state that if we don’t know how to speak in times fraught with political and psychological fragility, shutting up is also an option. It will take leadership skills, outstanding skills of persuasion to get the tourist back. In today’s digital world the utterances of the political class have also become an important factor in resuming tourism., he also said.
A food for thought. When Kahsmiris from all shades and opinions marched out against the Pahalgam carnage, some in rest of the country weren’t happy. And what happened. Hundreds of YOU TUBERS descended on Kashmir, all desperate to rewrite the script and recreate the narrative of the traditional hostile Kashmiri, he added.
I am not casting aspersions on anyone. But we in Kashmir have a tendency to punch far above our weight. Our utterances should not confuse the tourist. There has been a war and emotions are high. India and Pakistan will decide whether to go for war. I am sure they won’t ask us. They didn’t even invite anybody to the national level all party meet. I wish we could stop giving unsolicited advice to two big nuclear powers. Basically I wish we could shut up, he further said.
And yes those moral enforcers also need to desperately shut up. There have been irresponsible statements made in the past. and they are unforgivable. Problem of course is that all unforgivable statements become forgivable depending on who made those statements, he added. (KNS)