Srinagar, Apr 26 (KNS): Secretary Tourism and Culture, Government of J&K, Syed Abid Rashid Shah Wednesday said that tourism is not to create buildings rather it is about “management” to provide better facilities to visitors without harming ecosystem. He said we are hopeful the current year will break all previous records of tourist influx in J&K.
“Tourism is not creating buildings or turn wooden or green areas into concrete jungles. It is all about management to provide better facilities to visitors without harming ecosystem,” Secretary Tourism & Culture, Syed Abid Rashid Shah spoke exclusively to KNS.
He said there is no need to convert forests or offbeat destinations into concrete areas as it will have serious ramifications on our ecosystem. There is a need to protect our ecosystem while inviting tourists in J&K.
He said tourism is the backbone of our economy and we are hopeful like 2022 this year will also break records of tourist influx in J&K. “Tourism is the backbone of our economy. It influences directly or indirectly other departments of our life. Hoteliers, handicrafts, artisans etc are the major stakeholders who get benefited from tourism activities. From 1947 till date we have witnessed record breaking 1 crore and 88 lac tourists in calendar year 2022,” he said.
He also said that Department is hopeful that J&K will break all previous records of tourist influx in J&K and script new chapter in the history of J&K. “The figures will be moving up. It is good for our J&K UT, its people, stakeholders and the department as well. We are hopeful the footfall of domestic and international tourists will be high during current year,” he said.
He added in overall economy the tourism sector contributes 8 percent Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
While continuing, the officer said that this year the department will concentrate on diverting tourist footfall to virgin destinations. “Usually tourists throng hardly 8 to 10 destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Vaishno Devi, and other places but our effort during this year will be to concentrate on virgin or offbeat destinations for the larger benefit of J&K and its people,” he said.
He said that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on the floor of Parliament had said that 300 new destinations explored and brought on the map of tourism in J&K in future. Besides 75 Sufi and Religious destinations are also in the pipeline who will be brought on the map of tourism soon.
“It is a major task and needs to involve all stakeholders into account. Our 65 percent of population belongs to youngster below the age of 35 years. We are working on how they will be involved and livelihood provided to them. But it cannot be executed without the cooperation of each and every stakeholder of J&K,” he added. (KNS)