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Srinagar, May 8 (UNI) Seeking investment from private parties in tourism industry, Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Tourism Mohammad Dilawar Mir has said government would take all measures to attract tourists from Gulf countries.

He called upon the riches of the state to invest in tourism industry in a big way to create standard infrastructure for the tourists.

He said tourism is the vital sector of state's economy which needs contribution of all the sections of the society for its optimum exploitation.

Dwelling on various tourism promotion measures, the Minister said all required measures have been taken to exploit pilgrim, heritage, adventure, Golf and winter tourism in the state which are yielding tangible dividends.

He said main focus of the government would be to attract tourists from Gulf countries, for which trade marts are being organised in various tourism potential countries across the world.

He said Kashmir has varied tourist attractions suiting different tastes and likings of the tourist which would be harnessed to the optimum benefit of the tourism sector.

Speaking to hoteliers, houseboat owners and representatives of travel trade and industry after inaugurating newly constructed Hotel Centre Point in private sector here, the minister said the state is bestowed with natures unbound beauty which needs world class infrastructure to guests from outside the country.

The Minister called upon the people associated with tourist trade to exhibit magnanimous hospitality to win hearts and minds of the tourists so that they could be brand ambassadors of Kashmir tourism in their respective countries.

He said in the present era of stiff competition, public-private partnership was of vital importance to create world class tourist's infrastructure in the state, adding that the government would provide all possible assistance to the entrepreneurs in this regard.

UNI