People must visit J&K to know about its tourist attractions and not depend on news channels: Mehbooba Mufti

Regretting the negative portrayal of Jammu and Kashmir by certain outside media, the CM  said that there is no better mechanism to let the outsiders know of the state than allow people to people contact via tourism.

That is why, she said, every tourist visit to the state is a step towards peace.

The CM said, "Impression about J&K would improve consequentially with more tourist arrivals as they would be judging the place for themselves."

She asked the state Tourism Department and the tour operators to work towards that end.

"While J&K has certain political issues but the hospitable nature of its people was never given proper & appropriate coverage by media," she said.

She recalled how a boatman in Dal recently rescued a tourist family when his boat capsized but himself drowned, how some injured Amarnath pilgrims were treated by local people during the last few difficult months. But these things were not reflected appropriately, she said.

Terming the vision of late Mufti Muhammad Sayeed about Jammu & Kashmir as the cornerstone of her government, the Chief Minister said the late leader believed that peace was imperative for development of the state and for that dialogue and discourse was a must.

His aim was to unite people and regions and not divide them, she said.

Mehbooba Mufti said, “Peace and development in J&K can be fulfilled only by following the vision and dream of the late leader and whatever he had conceptualized for tourism promotion in the state would be accomplished by the present government with all seriousness."

Ambitious projects such as border tourism, Ranjit Sagar Dam, Tawi Lake etc. in Jammu province would be pursued.

Chief Minister asked delegates to find ways to market Jammu and Kashmir to every section of society.

"Why can’t we have some separate packages for adventure seekers, pilgrimage seekers, women and girls as J&K has remained safest on women’s security count," she said.

Mehbooba Mufti said tourist infrastructure needs more and more upgradation and it needs to be made environment friendly while providing the guests all the requisite facilities.

She said the centre has allocated sufficient funds for tourism development in the state and hoped that in the coming months and years tourist infrastructure would be upgraded exponentially.

Reporting by Saleem Qadri

Image: J&K PDP Twitter