New Delhi, June 15: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today asked the Centre to raise the issue of negative travel advisories issued by western countries to boost tourism in the state.
 He also sought introduction of an upper ceiling in airfares for flights to the state during the tourist season and demanded operationalisation of international flights from Srinagar airport.
 According to a statement by J & K government on Abdullah's meeting with Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia today, the CM said tourism was a major economic activity which could become the vehicle of change.
 "He pointed out that a number of difficulties are faced by the state government and suggested withdrawal of negative advisories issued by Europe and America, operationalisation of international flights from the Srinagar airport and commencement of morning-evening flights from Srinagar," it quoted Abdullah as saying during the meet held to finalise the plan allocation for Jammu and Kashmir for 2011-12.
 Besides, the Chief Minister favoured opening of the Leh-Damchuk route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and need for upper ceiling in airfares to the state to boost tourism.
 He also hoped for larger tourists arrivals in the State on account of improved security situation during the peak tourist season.
 "Year on year, unfortunately as a result of last year's trouble, we have seen about one lakh less tourists arrival this year than we did last year... Now that the season has stabilised, we hope that to continue," he told reporters after the meeting.
 Asked about the security scenario in the state, Omar said "it's not something we talk about very much for obvious reasons because the mistake is often made of correlating tourism with normalcy."
 "Tourism is actually one of those areas of the economy which puts money into the people's pockets and we are hoping that this season goes off well," the CM added.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 15 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 15 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST