Reiterating the commitment of the Government to make J&K a premier tourist destination, Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar today said the State offers an amalgam of heritage, pilgrimage and adventure tourism. Inviting tourists to visit J&K and explore its natural beauty, he said tourism is the backbone of the State’s economy and Government will make all efforts to promote and package its tourism potential.Speaking at the Make My Trip initiative to ‘Rediscover Kashmir’ here today in which tourism players including representatives of hotel and travel fraternity, Bollywood and media-persons were present, Akhtar said there are lot of positives in Kashmir for all tourist players and the Government will act as an enabler to provide better facilities and infrastructure to attract new and high-end tourists.
The Minister said JK’s Tourism Department wants to send out a positive message regarding tourism atmosphere in the State and the tourism players should help JK in this endeavour. He said effective marketing is the need of the hour at the national and international levels to promote J&K as an ideal tourist destination.The Minister said alongwith famous tourist destinations of the State, the Government is working on a comprehensive plan to bring newer and virgin tourist destinations like Bhaderwah, Gurez, Kokernag, Daksum etc on the tourist map and for this State would provide greater accessibility to these new destinations and create high-end infrastructure at existing ones so that a new class of visitors is attracted to JK.The Managing Director of Make My Trip on the occasion launched a 6- Day package to Kashmir for Rs 25000 per person that includes airfare. (GNS)