The Jammu and Kashmir administration has designated an additional 75 tourist destinations to enhance religious tourism in the region, following a notable surge in tourist numbers in 2022, exceeding 1 crore visitors, as reported by government data.
During the “Jashn-e-Adab—Cultural Karavaan” event, Syed Abid Rashid Shah, Tourism Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, expressed optimism about the progress in the region’s tourism sector. Shah emphasized that the tourism industry was making significant strides, surpassing the previous year’s influx of tourists.
Shah attributed this impressive growth to various factors, including the recent G-20 Tourism Working Group meeting held in Srinagar, which he described as a pivotal catalyst in boosting foreign tourist arrivals.
The increased tourist arrivals are not the sole accomplishments in the region. Shah revealed that the government’s endeavors to promote lesser-known destinations had yielded substantial outcomes. He explained, “To celebrate local culture, we’ve highlighted 75 offbeat destinations. Furthermore, 75 locations have been designated to foster spiritual experiences, and an additional 75 to enhance religious tourism within Jammu and Kashmir.”
Shah elaborated on the ongoing initiatives aimed at showcasing the region’s beauty and cultural richness. He mentioned active participation in International Trade Marts to engage international tourists and assured the implementation of a pro-artisan policy that would benefit the local artisan community.
Stressing the government’s commitment to spreading the allure of Jammu and Kashmir, Shah revealed that the Tourism Department’s team was currently in Ahmedabad for a promotional trip, which had garnered substantial interest. He emphasized that similar successful campaigns had previously taken place in Cochin and Chennai.
With these comprehensive efforts converging to fortify the tourism sector, achieving record-breaking tourist numbers for the year seems attainable. As Jammu & Kashmir continues to welcome both local and international travelers, the future of its tourism industry appears promising.
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