Azad hopes next 2 months will see tourism revival in Kashmir

Srinagar, Sep 7 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today expressed hope that tourist arrival in the Valley will witness a sharp increase in the next two months due to a sustained and full-fledged campaign in this regard.

He was speaking at the start of this year's Greater Kashmir Invitational Golf Tournament at the Royal Springs Golf course here this morning.

''A series of grenade attacks on visitors had adversely affected the tourist arrival in Kashmir, but there is still hope that with encouragement and a full-fledged campaign the next two months will see a huge rush of tourists in the Valley,'' he added.

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha inaugurated the tournament in which several parliamentarians, including former Union Minister Jagdish Tytler, and prominent golfers took part.

Mr Azad said in the present scenario, golf has become a central point in attracting rich tourists, corporate heads, opinion makers, parliamentarians and those who matter in the society.

He said the livelihood of thousands of families of Jammu and Kashmir was dependent on tourism. ''Our high potential tourist destinations, God-gifted pastures, mighty rivers, majestic snow-capped mountains, breathtaking scenic sports and the climate need to be showcased to the world,'' the Chief Minister added.

He said the parliamentarians who were participating in the golf tournament should convey to the people that situation in Kashmir was not bad. ''It is just that few explosions have created wrong impression and fear in the minds of tourists,'' Mr Azad added.

The Chief Minister said these stray incidents have become a usual phenomenon throughout the world. ''Bombs explode in the US, England and other parts of the world, but tourism has never been allowed to suffer on this count,'' he added.

On the occasion, Mr Tytler and other Members of Parliament told reporters said that they will play a significant role in conveying to the people of the country to visit Jammu and Kashmir which is the world-class tourist desination and a real heaven on Earth.

Mr Tytler lauded Mr Azad for his endeavours in bringing prosperity to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The state government's efforts to encourage golf tourism was for the interest of people of Jammu and Kashmir, he added.

''Because this is the real route through which thousands of tourists will come to the state,'' Mr Tytler said and expressed the hope that several such golf events would be organised and attractive golf courses established in various parts of the state.

He hoped that in the next two months more visitors would start coming to the valley again and the sagging tourist industry in the state will be back on the track.

UNI FMH MS PC1806