Srinagar, July 14: Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Ringzin Jora Thursday said the government was developing a “ring corridor” to connect various tourist destinations in the Valley. He said this was being done to make tourists extend their stays in the Valley. 
 The Minister said the government has set up several tourism development authorities in the Valley for developing tourist spots and creation of infrastructure facilities.
 Addressing an awareness program on tourism at Nigeen Club here, the minister said the corridor would connect all major tourist destinations so that the tourists stay for longer periods in the Valley.
 “Our tourism should not remain confined to Gulmarg and Pahalgam only. We are also developing other tourist resorts so that the visitors prolong their stays up to 15 days in the Valley,” he said.
 The minister said the Tourism Department will show ‘zero tolerance’ to any illegal tourism trade practice. “We won’t allow anyone to cheat or create any problem for a tourist,” he said, adding that any complaint against any trader will be dealt with sternly.
 Jora said the government would welcome any good suggestion for amendment of Tourist Trade Act. “We are going to make amendments in the Act so that it takes care of the interests of the tourism traders. We can amend it to improve tourism in the state,” said Jora.
 Director, Tourism Department, Kashmir Farooq Shah and representatives of Travel Agents’ Association of Kashmir (TAAK), Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHARA), Kashmir Hotels and Restaurant Owners’ Federation (KHAROF), Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Alliance, Travel Agents’ Society of Kashmir (TASK), Pahalgam Hoteliers’ Association, Gulmarg Hoteliers’ Association, Taxi Operators’ Associations, etc were present at the programme.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 14 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 14 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST