Minister of State for Tourism, Priya Sethi today said that Ladakh region is one of the major tourist attractions in the state and multiple development initiatives are in pipeline for focused development of the area at par with other regions.The Minister said this during a meeting with the members of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, here today.The delegation met the Minister to bring to light various important issues pertaining to comprehensive development of tourism in Leh District.Tsering Sandup, Executive Councilor (Tourism), LAHDC Leh presented a memorandum to the Minister highlighting the requirement of infrastructure for tourism promotion in Leh.The Minister while addressing the meeting said that Ladakh region offers multiple tourism options and opportunities which cater to the taste of a vast array of tourists from varied age groups. She said that focused efforts are underway to ensure equitable development of this region on all fronts including economic, social and cultural.
Responding to the suggestions, ideas put forth by the delegation, the Minister said that an elaborate tourism development plan has been conceived for Ladakh which accounts for focused promotion of rural, theme based, adventure, science tourism besides opening of new destinations for the tourists.She said that various projects are also being initiated to supplement the existing infrastructure in the region and to ensure all essential amenities are made available to the visiting tourists.The Minister further said that Ladakh has emerged as the most preferred destination for tourists worldwide and government is committed to make every effort to justify the choice of tourists.She also assured the LAHDC, Leh that their inputs will be given due consideration in ongoing and all future projects.Besides, other concerns including filling up of vacant posts in the office of Assistant Director Tourism Leh, grant of central capital investment subsidy to eco-tourism units were also discussed in the meeting.Secretary Tourism Farooq Ahmad Shah, MD JKTDC Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Director Tourism Kashmir Mahmood Ahmad Shah were also present in the meeting.