Srinagar, June 17: Union Tourism Minister, Subodh Kant Sahay Friday said 20 new tourist destinations would come up in Jammu and Kashmir.   
 “Twenty new destinations are coming up in the state,” the minister told a news conference here. 
 He said that centre would rope in world class consultants for development of new tourist destinations in Private Public Partnership mode. “Centre will also lure private investors to the state to develop infrastructure at the new destinations,” Sahay added.
 Underscoring the importance of tourism for generating employment and improving economic growth, the minister said India’s economic growth would move up from 9 per cent to about 12 per cent with investment in tourism.
 “If we invest Rs 10 lakh in tourism, it generates employment to about 80 persons. We are also expecting GDP to grow to 12 per cent,” he said.
 He stated that the state was being provided sufficient funds from the central government for the development of tourism as compared to other places.
 “J&K stands number one in terms of funds the centre has given to it.  In 11th five year plan, Rs 219 crore were provided to the state under various tourism projects. We will also sanction Rs 12 crore related to Laser Show at the Dal Lake and assistance of Rs five crore for developing arts and crafts Haat in the State on the pattern of Delhi Haat,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 17 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 18 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST