Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the development of emerging tourist destinations across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting focused on strengthening infrastructure, improving connectivity, and enhancing facilities to promote the Union Territory as a premier tourism hub.
The meeting was attended by Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary Tourism Dr. Ashish Chandra Verma, Director Tourism Kashmir Raja Yaqoob Farooq, Managing Director JKTDC Shreya Singhal, Director Tourism Jammu, representatives from BISAG-N, and other concerned officials. The review was conducted in hybrid mode, with participation both in person and virtually.
Officials presented detailed plans for developing new tourism circuits, eco-tourism projects, adventure tourism, and promotion of cultural heritage sites. Emphasis was laid on sustainable tourism development, leveraging technology for tourist facilitation, and ensuring benefits to local communities.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Omar Abdullah highlighted the government’s commitment to positioning Jammu and Kashmir as a world-class tourism destination. He directed concerned departments to expedite ongoing projects, ensure proper coordination, and adopt innovative measures to attract both domestic and international visitors.
The Chief Minister also stressed the importance of showcasing offbeat destinations alongside traditional attractions like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Patnitop, and Bhaderwah, to diversify tourism opportunities and generate employment in rural areas.
