Foreign arrivals clocking 300% rise YoY in Kashmir: LG Sinha

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed an unprecedented influx of tourists over the last few years, with 300 per cent annual increase in the foreign arrivals, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said here on Wednesday.
Addressing 'J&K Tourism Development Conclave' at the SKICC here, Sinha said the influx has been a result of the policies of the administration and stimulus given to the industry.
"We have witnessed unprecedented growth post Covid pandemic and roughly 300 per cent YoY (Year-on-Year) increase in foreign tourists.
"Greater efforts and attention were paid to new policies, conducive environment, stimulus for the tourism industry and new experiences and value creation for year-round employment," the Lt Governor said.
He called for strategic collaborations between the administration, community, and travel industry to enhance the experience of tourists.
The LG took a jibe at some people, who according to him, claim to be “jack of all jobs.” “This mind-set needs to be changed. A prominent hotelier Mushtaq Chaya owns half of Srinagar land. He came to me once and sought land for setting up his office. I told him I need one kanal from him for the government,” the LG said sarcastically.
About the people having “conflict properties”, the LG said that these properties need to be identified. “We stand by our commitment of not touching the innocents but accused and those trying to destabilise peace won’t be spared at any cost,” he warned.
About the Tatoo Ground in Srinagar that was vacated by the army after 50 years, the LG said that the place will have a start of the art amusement park where tourists would love to spend the entire day. “Srinagar will host lakhs of tourists soon just because of the renovated Tatoo Ground,” he said.
On renovated Polo View Srinagar, the LG said that he met the shopkeepers of the market and came to know that their business has increased three times due to tourist rush.
The LG urged the participants of the meeting and stakeholders to come up with a road map for promotion of spiritual tourism, adventure tourism, summer tourism, eco-tourism, wildlife tourism, religious tourism, Bird Watching and Agriculture Tourism. “India has a 130 million dollar wedding industry and J&K is the best Wedding destination. I hope that J&K gets its share from this huge industry,” he said.
Stating that J&K is getting cheapest power in the country than Himachal, Punjab and Haryana, the LG said J&K has the lowest crime rate in the country and safe for all.
He also urged experts and industry leaders to explore the potential of adventure, border and heritage tourism, offbeat destinations, golf, bird-watching and agro-tourism in the Union Territory.
Destination weddings can also become a key driver for the growth of the tourism sector of Jammu Kashmir, he added.
After decades, Bollywood has returned to the valley, Sinha said.
During the two-day conclave, the participants will deliberate on strategies to promote sustainable tourism in J&K.
Prominent personalities from the film industry, including Imtiaz Ali, Vishal Bhardwaj, Kabir Khan and Sanjay Suri are attending the conclave.