Minister of State for Education, Technical Education, Culture, Tourism, Department of Horticulture, Floriculture and Parks Priya Sethi today said that the State is one of the world's best and most sought after tourist destination that possesses immense potential, adding floriculture and horticulture are other key areas that are contributing to state's economy and need more fillip.The Minister was speaking at an impressive award and felicitation ceremony of J&K Tours and Travel Operators - 2017 here today. She said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced Rs. 80,000 crore rupee development package for Jammu and Kashmir out of which tourism has been allocated Rs. 2241 crore to develop new projects and tourist circuits, and setting up of 50 tourist villages. The Minister said that these projects when completed will automatically improve the image of the State on world tourism map.MLC Chranjeet Singh Khalsa was also present on the occasion. The programme was organized by hotel Royal Batoo.On the occasion, the Minister said that under massive and liberal central funding Urban Development sector of J&K State has been allocated Rs. 2312 crore with which Smart Cities will be developed and Swachh Bharat missions and infrastructure in towns of Jammu and Kashmir will be completed. She added the infrastructure development will further help in tapping tourism potential.
Besides, the Minister informed light and sound shows, Adnan Sami show is Srinagar by union home ministry are all aimed at giving peace a chance.Seeking active from all the stakeholders, Priya Sethi said that in days to come she will be attending tourism promotional ventures in Gujarat and other places only to ensure that domestic, as well as foreign tourists, arrive in our state in good numbers. The Minister asked tourism department to stay active on social media and emphasized on the need to exploit more such ideas for promotion of beautiful locations in the State.The Minister said the most important project funding is that of Road and highway projects for which Rs. 42611 crore will be spent on construction of Zojila tunnel, semi-ring roads in Jammu and Srinagar, projects under Bharat Mala for better connectivity and upgradation and other projects in the State. Priya Sethi added while lauding the efforts of all those connected with tourism industry for sustaining and promoting the State in a big way during best and the worst situations.Referring to dry fruits and fruits from other countries flooding the State markets, Priya Sethi said that this trend needs to be reversed and whatever shortcomings are there must be collectively plugged in. Congratulating those who were awarded at the event, she said that the kind of efforts that are being put in must be sustained and a consistency maintained to increase the number of tourists in this beautiful state. Later Priya Sethi gave away the awards to those who had excelled in their fields and encouraged them by assuring all possible help from the government.