|
A
massive promotional
campaign from J&K
tourism is underway.
What is the outcome?
Our
Chief Minister, Tourism
Minister, and I have
been traveling state
capitals. We have
visited Ahmedabad,
Mumbai, and Chennai,
meeting people, media
and tour operators. We
have visited Lucknow
very recently. The
amount of response that
we have received is
enormous. Soon, we will
be traveling to the
Eastern part of the
country, and we hope
that during the Durga
Puja holidays tourist
from West Bengal would
visit our state in
greater numbers. Our
efforts seem to be
paying of, as there is a
sudden surge in tourist
arrivals in the state.
That’s a positive sign
and we have stepped up
our promotional
campaign.
You
are urging tourist to
visit J&K, how safe
is the state?
Can
you show me a place
which is safe in this
world after the
September 11th terrorist
attack? We were in
Mumbai to meet the press
and tour operators,
suddenly there was news
of bomb explosion in a
suburban train, killing
and injuring innocent
people. So, terrorism, I
would say, is all
pervasive. Our society
needs to put up with it.
And for my state, I
would say that adequate
security measures are
being made for the
safety of the tourists.
What
about the prospect of
golf tourism?
We
have organised
Ambassadors’ Golf Cup
in Srinagar. Ambassadors
from Argentina,
Singapore, Kazakhstan,
Morocco, Spain,
Turkmenistan, Brunei and
Uruguay along with 18
top executives of some
of the leading corporate
houses participated in
Ambassadors’ Golf Cup
at the world renowned
18-hole Royal Spring
Golf Course. Located by
the banks of the world
famous Dal Lake, the
golf course is a dream
comes true for any
golfer. We are also
planning a
golf-cum-holiday package
for people from the
corporate sector. Also,
the highest green golf
course in the world in
Gulmarg situated at an
altitude of 2,600 meter
is in the process of
renovation. We can
expect a lot of golfing
activities in coming
days.
Why
are you targeting
Golfers?
Because
they are the people who
spend a lot! Tourism
associated with a lot of
buying activities, and
J&K is famous for
its handicrafts,
handlooms and
horticulture. But,
it’s just not about
golf! We are also,
promoting Kashmir as a
location for shooting of
Hindi Films. We have
invited Bollywood to
shoot in Kashmir, and a
lot of activity is
already underway.
What
about attracting
international tourist?
We
are putting our best
effort although the
current focus is on the
domestic front. We are
targeting the South East
Asia, ASIAN countries
and Chinese. We have
come out with new
promotional literature
targeting these
communities. But the
prime focus right on
domestic tourists.
Why
not the Western world?
They
are welcome in Kashmir.
But the problem lies
elsewhere. The countries
in the west are issuing
travel adversaries urging
their citizen not to
visit J&K. This
continues to be a
problem. But, people
from West Asia and Gulf
are visiting Kashmir.
After September 11,
2001, it has become
little difficult for
them to visit west.
Kashmir is a place where
you will find monuments
and religious places of
their interest.
What
steps have been taken for the
development of
infrastructure in the
state?
The
construction of
additional
accommodation,
renovation and up
gradation of tourism
infrastructure in the
state is of utmost
priority for the state
government. Prime
Minister, himself is
taking keen interest for
the development of the
state.
Overall
planning and execution
of schemes for the
development,
up-gradation and
improvement of the
tourism infrastructure
in different parts of
the state has been
stream lined. Not only
infrastructure there
have been changes taking
place in the
administrative set ups.
Our government has
stressed for greater
devolution of power at
the local levels. Steps
are being taken to
protect and preserve the
ecosystem. All these
will pay rich dividend
in the coming years.
|
