Tourist arrivals in Kashmir are expected to witness a record three-fold jump this year.

J&K ready for record rise in tourist arrivals

Tourist arrivals in Kashmir are expected to witness a record three-fold jump this year. “This year we expect a three-fold increase in the tourist influx since people have ensured harmony and peace despite provocations from the elements inimical to the prosperity and development of the state,” said Nawang Rigzin Jora, J&K minster for tourism and culture. Official figures said more than 13 lakh tourists visited the valley last year. The figure excludes 6.34 lakh pilgrims who visited the holy Amarnath Shrine in 2011. The Jammu and Ladakh regions too reaped the benefits of peace with one crore pilgrims visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine this year. More than 1.79 lakh tourists visited the cold desert of Ladakh, an increase of 136% from last year. Figures released by the home minister last week revealed that around nine lakh tourists have visited the state so far this year. “This year the valley would surpass all previous tourist records. Efforts are being made to develop new tourist spots and upgrade the tourist infrastructure for convenience of visiting tourists,” said Talat Parvez, director tourism department Kashmir. People associated with the tourism sector are taking the government projections with a pinch of salt. “We are still in the middle of tourism season and given their projections we should have crossed the half way mark. This however is not the case. Yes there has been substantial increase in tourist arrivals this year,” said GM Dag, chairman of J&K Tourism Alliance. What is harming the tourism sector is the travel advisor issued by foreign countries. “Foreign arrivals are very less and it will continue unless advisories are withdrawn,” said Dag.