Srinagar, Sep 5: Jammu and Kashmir Government today made a fervent appeal to the Britain to lift travel advisory against the Jammu and Kashmir as the situation here has improved considerably.
 Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora while interacting with British Deputy High Commissioner, Jullan Evans, who along with a  team of senior officers is on a 3-day visit to Kashmir said, “Germany has already lifted  the travel advisory against JK following which a large number of foreign tourists have visited JK again.”
 He said lifting of travel advisory by the Britain shall also lure tourists of commonwealth countries like Australia, Newziland, Canada etc to visit Kashmir. He said tourism is the mainstay of state’s economy and the state government has launched a vigorous tourism promotion campaign at the country as well as in overseas countries.
 He said recently a team of senior tourism officers along with representatives of tour and travel trade, Shikara Wallas and House Boat owners visited Malaysia to showcase state’s rich tourism treasure.
 Jora apprised the British Deputy High Commissioner about various tourism promotion measures under taken by the government adding that main focus is to bring virgin tourism places on the canvass of world tourism map.
 The creation of world class tourism infrastructure is also priority of the government, Jora added.
 He said government has established about 20 tourism development authorities to exploit vast tourism potential across the state. “Our motto is to diversify tourism itinerary to newer and virgin tourist’s places like Bangus, Gurez, Doodpathri, Verinag, Kokernag, Aharhbal, Wullar, Mansbal etc beyond the main tourist destinations of Gulmarg and Pahalgam.
 Jora also apprised the visiting British team about vast pilgrim tourism potential of the state adding that the number of Vaishno Devi pilgrims could touch one crore mark whereas the Amarnath yatris have touched all time high of over 6.35 lakhs this year.
 He also briefed about distinct and diverse culture and religions existing in three district regions- Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh of the state adding that despite this diversity, the people of the state live in harmony and brotherhood which is the hallmark of the state’s rich cultural ethos.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Sep 2011 00:00:00 IST