Union Minister says Jammu will become world tourism destination
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 18: Stating that Jammu has great potential to attract tourists from all over the world and the Government would make ensure that J&K soon becomes world tourism destination, the Union Minister of State for Tourism Prahlad Singh Patel today said that the change of perception was, however, imperative for the development of tourism sector in the Union Territory of J&K.
“We are all stakeholders and we have to work hard to change the perception about Jammu and Kashmir to attract tourists. It is more important than the money being pumped for the development of tourism,” he said while talking to media persons after inaugurating a Tourist Facilitation Centre (TFC) at Sarna and Associate Residency at Teligarh Resort in Bhaderwah.
The Union Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government at the Centre has pumped a huge amount of money over the last five years for the development of tourism and has recently directed all ministers to spend at least one night in Jammu and Kashmir.”If a minister comes here, he will definitely give something to the region. Bhaderwah is the best place for any tourist because it has natural beauty, peace and great culture. There are numerous opportunities here and UT status will surely provide a great platform to boost development of the region,” he said and hastened to add that when a negative news comes out of the region, despite being a heavenly beautiful place, visitors refrain from coming here.
Patel said better infrastructure and connectivity is a challenge but things will improve with the passage of time. “I came to know that this place is traditionally connected with Chamba in Himachal Pradesh and Pathankot of Punjab via Kathua. We are going to upgrade these two roads on priority beside a Gondola project is also on the cards for this region, “he said.
Mr Patel said the Union Tourism Ministry has made it compulsory to involve tourism stakeholders including tour and travel agencies and hoteliers from Jammu and Kashmir in the road shows across the globe over the past two months.
Asked about specific measures to boost winter tourism in Bhaderwah, he said “the situation will not change overnight. We are making steady progress and it will also happen”.
In response to another question about the ongoing protests against CCA in the country, he said “the amended Bill was passed by both the Houses of Parliament which has members from all parties and nobody is above Parliament”.
“The Government should act sternly against those indulging in violence and I am sure the Government will not tolerate violence. Nobody will get free hand to indulge in violence,” the minister said.
The Minister , who also flagged off a mobile science exhibition bus from community Hall, Kotli and participated in a traditional ‘Dhekko Dance’, said Bhaderwah was a divine place with ample scope to attract tourists from around the world. There is need to identify more trekking routes, improve road connectivity for the tourist destinations and provide best tourism infrastructure to attract high end tourists,” he asserted.
Later, the Union Minister also visited the State BJP headquarters in Jammu where he interacted with the local BJP leaders and held discussion over the issues related to tourism in J&K, particularly in Jammu.
Praising Jammu for its natural beauty and untapped potential, Mr Patel said that the J&K will soon shine as world tourism destination. The Union Minister maintained that after going through various areas of the region, he has a firm view that the region is home to the host of things having great value of art, culture, heritage and history. He prompted all the senior leaders of the party to move forward with concentrated efforts to promote, preserve and present the things of historical values in whole of the region.
Patel also talked about developing the seven major lakes as major tourist destination. He also talked at length about all the projects of Jammu city like Cable Car, Lake etc. He stated that the natural beauty of the region is not yet tapped and developed fully and as such it has got great potential to attract tourists from all over the world and we will make sure that soon J&K becomes world tourism destination.
The Union Minister assured the senior party leaders that he will consider all the suggestions by party leaders for the development of the J&K region as leading tourism destination.
State BJP president Ravinder Raina, MP Jugal Kishore, former Deputy CM Kavinder Gupta and others were present in the meeting.
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