Marked increase in tourist arrivals in J

Srinagar, Jun 25 (UNI) Despite the recent attacks on visitors in the Valley, there has been a marked increase in tourist arrivals in Jammu and Kashmir, an official spokesman said today.

He said the recent attacks have failed to reverse the trend.

The spokesman said the total number of tourists coming to the state increased from 57.48 lakh in 2003 to 72.39 lakh in 2005.

As compared to 1.91 lakh tourist arrivals in Kashmir in 2003, the number shot up to 5.75 lakh in 2005, he said, adding the arrival of foreign tourists had also doubled over the years.

The spokesman said the growth in numbers has continued in 2006.

A total of 36 projects have been sanctioned during the 10th Plan for tourism related projects in Jammu and Kashmir involving an amount of over Rs 85 crore, he added.

The spokesman said several steps were being taken to give a big push to tourism in the state.

The government has decided to set-up 50 tourist villages and grant financial support for 12 tourism development authorities at Patnitop, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, Lakhanpal-Sarhal, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Kokernag, Sonamarg, Leh and Kargil.

Developing skills of Kashmiri youth for employment and self-employment in tourism industry through training courses imparted by the Institute for Hotel Management, Srinagar, assistance to travel agents for marketing and promotion of the state as a tourist destination are the other measures.

The government has also sanctioned Rs 8 crore for development of pilgrimage circuit for Amarnath and Hazratbal. The Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering, Gulmarg has been revived and a new building was being constructed at an outlay of Rs 8.58 crore.

The spokesman said a new building for the Institute of Hotel Management, Srinagar was being constructed with central assistance at an outlay of Rs 7.15 crore. A tourist complex at Bachhan Depot, Jammu has also been sanctioned for Rs.4.91 crore, he added.

The spokesman said a new tourist circuit covering Lakhanpur-Basoli-Bani-Bhaderwah-Kishtwar-Sinthan-Srinagar was proposed to be taken up at a cost of Rs 5 crore.

Capacity building programmes for waiters, housemen, chambermaid, bellboy and other service providers have been launched at Pahalgam and Patnitop, and five villages have been taken up under the rural tourism scheme at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore, he added.

UNI AG AK HT1308