Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 17: Sounding optimistic that tourist arrivals may surpass four million mark this year, Director Tourism Kashmir, Mahmood Shah today said that the department is all geared up to welcome the tourists.
The Director while interacting with a group of students who are being trained to look out for opportunities in tourism sector said that all indications are pointing that there shall be an expected influx of five million tourists this year if everything went right.
An official spokesman said the training programme is being organized by National Welfare Forum, (NWF) – an NGO in collaboration with Tourism Department working to promote Rural Tourism in the state. About thirty students from Pakharpora area of district Budgam are taking part in the training who are keen to work in sector of tourism in different capacities, he said.
On the occasion, the Director informed the participants that since the valley is witnessing about one million arrival every year this year all indications point out that the footfall may hover around three to four million for which the department of Tourism is making all out efforts to cater the rush.
“Once the tourist rush increases the focus shall shift to the lesser known tourist destination. The tourist destination like Yousmarg, Dodipathri, Aharbal and Bungus Valley may be developed in due course of time keeping in view the demand and the needs of the tourists,” he said.
“These tourist destinations have all the tourist attractions for round the year tourism. The skiing slopes and lust green mountains and interconnected tourists circuits is all what a tourist at present is demanding. There are number of unexplored areas in these circuits which are ideally suited for skiing and paragliding,” he added.
The Director suggested the trainees to set up clubs in these areas where the tourist can approach for better information and coordination in carrying out their trips. He assured them that the department would promote those trainees who are certified and have professional skills to serve the tourists.
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