Progressing J&K

Kashmir Valley witnessing exponential hike in tourist influx

SRINAGAR, JUNE 25: Kashmir valley is witnessing an exponential increase in the tourism flow due to the successful campaigns of the J&K Government to attract maximum tourists towards the region.

According to statistics J&K tourism department, March 2022 broke the 10-year tourist arrival record in Kashmir, signalling that the tourism industry is finally on the path to recovery.

As per Union tourism ministry, around 1.42 lakh tourists visited J&K during February alone, breaking the seven-year record.

Remarkably, on April 4th this year, the Srinagar International Airport recorded busiest day ever in history, with 15,014 people travelling on 90 flights in and out of Kashmir.

Notably, for the first time, the Ministry of Civil Aviation approved the five flights a week between Srinagar-Sharjah.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had inaugurated Go First’s Srinagar-Sharjah flight on October 23 last year, connecting Jammu and Kashmir with the United Arab Emirates after around 11 years.

To boost adventure tourism, in J&K, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha launched J&K Tourist Village Network under Mission Youth. The initiative is aimed at transforming 75 villages of the UT known for historical, picturesque beauty, and cultural significance into tourist villages.

Speaking on the occasion, Sinha said that the youth-led sustainable tourism initiative will strengthen rural economy & community entrepreneurship, empowering youth & women by providing direct & indirect employment opportunities.

Highlighting the objective behind the initiative, he observed that the UT Government is adopting best practices recognizing the uniqueness of each village and showcasing the landscapes, indigenous knowledge systems, cultural diversity & heritage, local values & traditions, besides encouraging film shooting and offering financial incentives as well as ensuring a digital platform to all these villages.

J&K administration is giving special focus on the tourism sector, and the region has started witnessing significant growth in terms of increased number of tourists and creation of tourism-related infrastructure.

A dedicated focus is also being laid on bringing unexplored religious places of Jammu on the religious tourist map to attract more tourists.