Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who is batting for revival of tourism in Kashmir today gave it a further push, calling for collective efforts of the government and industry stakeholders to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s position as the country’s premier tourist destination.
The Chief Minister gave this call at one of biggest forums ‘Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Revival Dialogue’ organized jointly by FICCI and the Department of Tourism, J&K at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar.“It is binding on us that we do everything in our power to ensure that Jammu and Kashmir goes back to its position as the pre-eminent tourist destination in the country and then stays there,” the Chief Minister said in his address, highlighting that the government is working on new initiatives focused primarily on improving the overall tourist experience.
Reflecting on the recent challenges, the Chief Minister recounted the sharp contrast between the optimism of April 21 and the downturn of April 22, referring to a sudden drop in tourist footfall following the unfortunate incident. “From flying over Dal Lake and seeing hundreds of shikaras to seeing none just days later—it was a brutal reminder that the past can intrude into our present and, God forbid, our future,” he said.
He acknowledged the volatility that tourism in J&K has witnessed over the decades and emphasized the importance of resilience. “Unlike most other places where tourism planning can be done for years ahead, here we plan week to week. But still—we plan, and we persist,” he said.He expressed gratitude to FICCI and the larger tourism fraternity for standing by Jammu & Kashmir in both good and challenging times.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah outlined efforts to broaden the tourism footprint in the region. “We are working on a project called SPREAD, aimed at developing nine new tourist destinations in both Kashmir and Jammu, with expected support from multilateral funding agencies,” he said.
Discussing connectivity, the CM noted the transformative impact of railway infrastructure: “Traveling by train through tunnels and world’s highest rail bridge into the valley is a breathtaking experience. We may not yet have a direct Delhi-Srinagar line, but that day isn’t far.”
He also underscored the government’s commitment to infrastructure development and niche tourism sectors. “We are close to completing a world-class conference facility in Gulmarg to supplement venues like SKICC. Areas like MICE tourism, golf, film and destination weddings are vital components of our future strategy.”On the occasion, Chief Minister launched a book ‘Golfing in Paradise’ authored by Atul Dir, celebrating Jammu & Kashmir’s growing appeal as a premier golf tourism destination.
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