Srinagar: Stating that the last year was “historic” with regard to the tourism influx in J&K, Tourism Secretary Syed Abid Rashid Shah Saturday said that the UT is surpassing last year’s tourist arrivals and that the government is expecting record breaking tourist numbers this year.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of ‘Jashn-e-Adab— Cultural Karavaan’ here, the Tourism Secretary said that tourism is flourishing in J&K and that J&K on course to better last year’s record in terms of tourist arrival this year.
“The G-20 Tourism Working Group meeting held in Srinagar is proving to be a game changer. Foreign tourist arrivals are increasing tremendously,” Shah said.
He said that the government is expecting a record-breaking number of tourists this year.
He also informed that the government has promoted 75 offbeat destinations to promote culture, 75 to promote spiritual tourism and 75 destinations to promote religious tourism in J&K.
“At this point of time, a team from the Tourism department is on a trip to Ahmedabad to promote J&K tourism, and there is a huge response. Earlier, we have held tourism promotion campaigns in Cochin and Chennai as well,” he said.
Shah said to lure more international guests, the government is mulling to participate in international trade marts as well. (With inputs from KNO)