As Kashmir is back on the tourism map with record tourist arrivals for last few years, the administration need to focus on maintain the existing tourist spots besides developing more tourist destinations. The administration should ensure that tourists visiting recognised and most sought after tourist destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg have all the needed facilities available. A common complaint of the tourists is that there are no or very few public toilets available at these three tourist resorts which are visited by huge number of tourists. This causes discomfort to the visitors particularly the females. Having toilets available is the very basic facility and if our Tourism Development Authorities can’t ensure these, how would anyone expect good publicity.
Another problem faced by the tourists is over pricing by hotels. Tariffs of even ordinary hotels is too high while as the facilities available are very basic. The concerned tourism authorities should keep an eye on the hotels and ensure that no tourists are over charged. The hoteliers too should understand that by over charging visitors they may earn some bucks but it brings bad name to Kashmir. The unplanned constructions on these tourist destinations have already done a great damage hence it should be ensured that these places are not vandalised in the name of creating infrastructure.
Sanitation is yet another issue confronting these tourism destinations. The concerned authorities should ensure that there are garbage bins installed in ample number and visitors are not allowed to through the garbage anywhere. The concerned authorities at these spots should ensure sanitation drives involving local stakeholders as well.
The administration should also take steps to develop other lesser known tourist resorts like Doodhpathri, Bangus, Daksum, Nilinag etc. However, while developing these spots, maintenance of the environment and ecology should be the priority. Developing these spots alongwith Kokernag, Yusmarg, Verinag and other destinations will broaden the scope of tourism industry and more people will get benefitted. Unemployment, right now unemployment is the bigger issue confronting the youth of Kashmir. Developing new tourist destinations would provide more employment avenues and also add to the economy of Kashmir. Efforts should be made to strengthen tourism sector and broaden its scope as more tourist destinations will attract more tourists.
