Srinagar, Mar 19: The minister of tourism and culture Nawang Rigzin Jora Friday called domestic tour operators to promote J&K tourism in a big way.
“The minister who was presiding over the inaugural function of the fourth annual convention of Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI) at Hotel Ashok, New Delhi said the tourism was the backbone of the state economy, hence needed to be promoted in a big way,” Director Tourism Farooq Shah told Greater Kashmir on phone from New Delhi.
Shah and managing director J&K tourism development corporation, Satish Nehru were accompanying the minister.
Giving details Shah said that J&K tourism was one of the convention partners. The theme of the convention was Domestic Tourism-The Foundation of Incredible India.
Speaking on the occasion the minister, according to Shah, highlighted the potential of tourism in J&K. “Each of the three regions of our state, viz. Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, holds a distinction. Kashmir, for instance, is known for its natural beauty, Ladakh, the moon land is known for adventure tourism, and Jammu is the land of temples,” he said.
He said there was a tremendous potential of pilgrim tourism in the state.
Highlighting the role of J&K government to promote the tourism, he said the government had formed 19 developmental authorities for creating and upgradation of the infrastructure.
He said J&K tourism had participated in all the national and international marts, including WTM London, ITB Berlin and Global Village Fair, Dubai, and domestic marts like TTFs and IITMs.
“Besides, we are also promoting the unexplored J&K, like some beautiful places in Kashmir, viz. Dudpathri, Yusmarg, Aharbal, Bangus, Gurez, Lolab, Manasbal, Zanskar, Doda, Badrewa, Rojouri, Lakhanpur, Nobra and so on,” Jora said.
He also thanked the people from Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal and other places, “who despite several odds visited the state.”
The union minister for tourism, Kumari Selja was the chief guest on the occasion.
Welcoming the guests, president ADTOI, Rakesh Lamba said the main objective of the convention was to provide a greater understanding of the importance of domestic tourism at the government level. Lamba appreciated the efforts taken by the J&K tourism department for the promotion of domestic tourism in the state over the past three years.
Around 400 delegates, Shah said, from across India were participating in the two-day conference, wherein challenges and opportunities of domestic tourism in the country were discussed at length.
Many tour operators from the state had also participated in the convention. J&K tourism had also installed stalls at the exhibition on the sidelines of the convention.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:00:00 IST