Srinagar, Nov 20: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that state government was open to any suggestion on privatization of state owned Centaur hotel on banks of world famous Dal Lake here.     
 “We are open to any suggestion about privatization of Centaur hotel and we will ponder over it,” Omar said while speaking on the occasion of Travel Award Function organized by CNBC Awaaz TV here at SKICC.
 He expressed satisfaction over the arrival of tourists in the Kashmir Valley in large numbers during the previous and current year. “I would urge tourists to visit Kashmir so that they can get the feel of the hospitality and beauty of the Valley,” Omar said while addressing the delegates.
 “We can construct roads over a period of time, we can have better infrastructure over a period of time. But we urgently need clean and hygienic toilets so that visitors don’t feel any inconvenience,” he added.
 Union Minister for Health and Family Affairs, Ghulam Nabi Azad while speaking on the occasion expressed his happiness over the huge influx of tourists in Kashmir. “It is very good for the state that the tourists are visiting this scenic place and I would congratulate all the stakeholders who have worked day in and day out for promoting the brand Kashmir,” Azad said.
 Union Minister for Tourism, K Chiranjeevi assured that Centre would provide all possible assistance to state government for promoting tourism sector.
 Others who were present on the occasion included Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Nasir Aslam Wani, Chairman JK Bank Mushtaq Ahmed, Director Tourism Talat Parvaiz, Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Farooq Shah and others.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 20 Nov 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 21 Nov 2012 00:00:00 IST