Lack of five-star hotels hurt valley tourism, says minister

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Srinagar, June 19 (UNI) The Kashmir valley, the most attractive destination for both winter and summer tourists, has no three or five star hotel due to lack of infrastructure.

''We lack world class infrastructure for tourists,'' Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Minister Mohammad Dilawar Mir said adding that there were no three or five star hotel in the state.

Participating in the live phone-in programme on Doordarshan, Srinagar, here last evening, Mr Mir said there is no hotel which could be compared with any world class hotel.

He said there are few hotels in the Kashmir valley where film stars and other top businessmen, executives and foreigners are staying. But, these hotels lack facilities needed for three or five star hotels.

Still, guests are coming and staying in these hotels because of Dal Lake and other beautiful surroundings, he added.

Mr Mir said construction of a five-star hotel was taken up at Gulmarg, a destination for summer and winter lovers, some fifteen years ago. But the project was abandoned and it still remains a dream.

The minister said the government would welcome any private investment in the tourism sector.

While replying to a caller, Mr Mir said the policy of the government to lease out land at Gulmarg to locals still stands.

There was some misunderstanding when a notification was issued about leasing out the land at Gulmarg, some vested interests led to exploitation of the situation without understanding the basics of the notification.

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