Jammu, Nov 6: In a significant and positive development for the state’s tourism sector, UK has agreed to withdraw negative advisory to its citizens regarding their visit to Jammu and Kashmir. This has been done on the persuasion of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Government of United Kingdom is shortly going to announce lifting of the advisory for UK citizens against travelling to Jammu and Srinagar, and travel between these two cities on Jammu-Srinagar highway, an official spokesman said.
He said this has been indicated by British High Commissioner to India, Sir James Bevan in a letter addressed to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah.
Sir James in his letter to the J&K Chief Minister has written, “At our meeting in August, you asked me to consider whether the UK’s travel advice covering Jammu and Kashmir should be reviewed in light of decline in violence. I have done so. The UK Government will therefore be announcing shortly that the improvements in the security situation have led us to lift the advisory against UK citizens travelling to both the cities of Jammu and Srinagar, and travel between these two cities on the Jammu-Srinagar highway”.
The British High Commissioner has expressed confidence that this measure will encourage more UK tourists and businesses to visit the State, which should in turn benefit the local economy.
Omar has taken up this issue with other diplomatic missions as well which are expected to follow suit and lift their negative advice regarding travelling Jammu and Kashmir, the spokesman said.
The initiative is likely to give considerable fillip to the inflow of foreign tourists to the Valley and other parts of the State in the next tourist season. This would not only generate wide-ranging economic activities for the people but give considerable impetus to the development of tourism.
The lifting of advisories by the foreign countries will also restore the visit of high end foreign tourists and help flourish the business and trade in the State.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Nov 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Nov 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 7 Nov 2012 00:00:00 IST