The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Minister, Mr. Ghulam Ahmad Mir has called upon the overseas Tour and Travel bodies to guide the people of their countries to the visit of Jammu and Kashmir, the most ideal tourist destination in the world. He assured that J&K is as peaceful State as other parts of the World and people of State are enthusiastic to welcome the foreigners on their visit here. Addressing the Concluding function of 4-day World Travel Market at Excel Center London, the Minister said that tour and travel operators can play an active role to promote tourism between Countries. He assured fullest cooperation of Jammu and Kashmir government to the foreign and domestic Tour and Travel Operators in this regard. He said that J&K government has taken several significant steps to upgrade the world class tourist infrastructure at varied destination of its famed regions, besides introducing new destinations and tourism activities in the State.The Tourism Minister assured the Tour and Travel Operators that State government would facilitate air travel of foreign tourists intending to visit Jammu and Kashmir.
The Tourism Minister invited domestic and over seas’ Tour and Travel operators to see for themselves, varied tourism potential of the State. He said such a visit would help in showcasing the rich tourism potential of the State. He said that State government has also developed conventional tourism facilities in the State and Kashmir is an ideal place for holding national as well as international conferences. He made a fervent appeal to all the participant Tour and Travel operators to be ambassadors of J&K in spreading good message among their Countrymen about the magnificent and mesmerizing tourism destination of Jammu and Kashmir.Over 5000 delegations from different countries of the World participated in WTM London, where Jammu and Kashmir Government has also set up stalls showcasing the varied distinct tourism potential of the State.Tourism Minister briefed the Participants that the Jammu and Kashmir with its varied topography, climate, landscape, and rich cultural mosaic is undeniably the most ideal tourist destination in the world, with the valley of Kashmir often described as the “Eden of the East” and “Paradise on Earth.” Ladakh, on both sides, represents the stark beauty of the challenging mountain destinations - the Himalayas and the Karakoram. Jammu, in the foothills of the Himalayas, is a repository of the composite culture of the state and houses the world-famous school of miniature paintings. In addition to some of the highest lush green mountains besides famous pilgrim site Mata Vaishno Devi.
“Unfortunately, uncertain conditions in the past have prevented a full exploration of the tourism potential of the different regions of the state. Ladakh is perhaps among the most promising region for the promotion of tourism’’, he said and added that the Kashmir Valley with dozens of side valleys, are perfect resorts for leisure tourism and shrines in Kashmir, temples in Jammu, and monasteries in Ladakh are major attractions in the area of pilgrimage tourism.The delegation also utilized the trip as promotional campaign in several cities of London and informed Londoners about the innovative measures taken by the State government for developing new destinations like Yousmarg, Doodpatheri, Lolab- Bangus valley, Mughal road etc., besides creating of world class tourism infrastructure with focus on development of new attraction like gondola riding and eco- tourism. Mir hoped that in future the State would witness a big boom of domestic and foreign tourists. He said that "Tourism is the mainstay of our state's economy and the government has launched a vigorous tourism promotion campaign in and outside the country."The Minister assured London functionaries that Kashmir is as safe as London or for that matter any other country in Europe." We know that Tourism is one of the major binding forces for spreading friendship and uniting souls. All of us have to act as Tourism ambassadors and try our best to unite those parts of the World which are still less connected’’, Mir appealed.