Jammu, Nov 10: The union tourism minister, Kumari Shelija, the Jammu and Kashmir minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora, and minister of state, Nasir Aslam Wani, today inaugurated World Travel Mart in London.
 On the occasion, the prospective tourists from London and other places intending to visit Kashmir were given confidence that the place was safe for all of them. They were told   that high commissioners and ambassadors of 22 countries had not only visited Kashmir recently but even played golf and interacted with people during their travel to all major destinations in the valley.
 Jammu and Kashmir ministers and other members of the state team visiting the UK, who include secretary Tourism, Ms. Tanveer Jehan, and director, Tourism, Farooq Ahmad Shah, interacted with the members of House of Lords and Asian Guild. They emphasized that advisory issued to the UK travellers not to visit Kashmir may be withdrawn.
 Hectic activities are on and it is expected that Britain may withdraw the advisory keeping in view the fast improving situation in Kashmir.
 Political personalities, intellectuals, opinion makers and media persons are convinced that time had come that people and adjoining countries should include Kashmir again in their travel programmes as the people of Kashmir valley have always received the visitors of these countries with warmth and love. The travellers from this country have been visiting the valley for several centuries past and various books, travelogues and literature have been documented, projecting Kashmir as the paradise on earth.
 During their interaction, the ministers and officials admitted that due to turmoil, the flow of tourists from United Kingdom and other countries to the valley had been affected to a large extent but now the state government, with the active support of the centre had started vigorous campaign to attract tourists from these countries.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 IST