CM Omar wants reopening of tourism spots for impactful promotion of destinations

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 18 (STC): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has desired reopening of tourism destinations which were closed for tourists after the Pahalgam terror incident.
He said that the government’s tourism promotion campaigns would be meaningless if popular destinations continued to remain closed for visitors.
Speaking to reporters in Gulmarg, the Chief Ministersaid the incident that occurred recently in Pahalgam should not have taken place, but added that several corrective measures had since been taken. “What happened in Pahalgam should not have happened. Since then, a number of steps have been taken. But unless closed destinations are thrown open, our tourism promotion will be a futile exercise. If they are not open, then what is the point of spending resources on promoting tourism?” he said.
The Chief Minister underlined that J&K’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism and cautioned that shutting down destinations creates a negative perception about the Valley.
Omar also expressed dismay over restrictions that prevented political leaders from offering condolences in certain cases.
Tourism stakeholders in Kashmir have repeatedly flagged concerns over restricted access to various resorts, warning that it hampers both domestic and international tourist inflow.
(Straight Talk Communications)