Srinagar, Mar 29: Urging people to make the upcoming tourist season successful, President, National Conference and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr Farooq Abdullah said that tourism is the backbone of state economy and “it is responsibility of all to make the tourism season successful.”
 Dr Farooq said that more than 13 lakh tourists visited Kashmir Valley last year. “Their arrival has contributed largely to the state economy and people associated with tourism have been benefited a lot,” he said.
 The NC President said it is the responsibility of the people associated with tourism to support government’s efforts to make the upcoming tourism season a success.
  “After Agriculture, Tourism is our main industry.  It contributes a great share to state gross domestic product,” he said, adding that unfortunately the industry faced setback due to turmoil. “Now the things have changed and a large number of tourists are visiting the valley every year,” he said.
 The Union Minister urged the national and international tourists not to come under “negative propaganda by some vested interests” about Kashmir. “They should come to Kashmir, as the people in valley are ready to welcome them,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 29 Mar 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 IST