Transformative Changes In J&K Tourism Post G20: Secy Tourism

File photo Srinagar- Asserting that Jammu and Kashmir experiences transformative changes following the successful G20 meeting held in May this year, Secretary Tourism, Syed Abid Rashid Shah said on Saturday that the government has started promoting 75 offbeat destinations to ensure infrastructural development in the Union Territory. Speaking to the media after inaugurating a two-day art exhibition here, Secretary Tourism said the people of J&K enthusiastically participate in the events of national and international importance and wish such events to be held regularly in the UT. Shah said Jammu and Kashmir will experience tremendous changes in time to come as the government is keen for the infrastructural development of the Union Territory. He said the government as part of promoting J&K on a global scale will be organizing many events including that of the Bangus Festival in the near future. “After G20 meeting held earlier this year, J&K has witnessed transformative changes in the tourism sector while people enthusiastically participate in the events of national and international importance and wish such events to be held regularly,” Secretary Tourism added. However, he asserted that infrastructure development cannot be accomplished within months but rather requires intense work from all stakeholders including the government and the local populace. Shah said the events being organized in J&K will help promote infrastructural activities and that the people have a primary role in projecting and promoting J&K tourism brand and the charismatic beauty of both the regions on the international front. “We are organizing the Bangus Festival and all of you are cordially invited. Although Bangus is a far off place, it is a very beautiful destination of our Union territory and such events will certainly boost economic and infrastructure development of J&K,” he said. Replying to a query that there is lack of mobile connectivity in Yusmarg tourist destination, Secretary Tourism said there are several places in the UT where mobile connectivity is required and that the government has been working in this direction. “A private telecom operator recently installed a mobile tower in Doodhpathri while there are several other places in J&K including that of Yusmarg in Kashmir and Basohli and Sansar in Jammu where mobile connectivity is required and we are working on it,” he added.