Jammu and Kashmir's Tourism Transformation: Quality Over Quantity

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasizes a sustainable, visitor-focused tourism model for Jammu and Kashmir. He calls for high-value tourism initiatives, better waste management at tourist spots, and infrastructure improvements. Abdullah also highlights the potential for skiing in Sonamarg and promotes synergized efforts with local communities for heritage preservation.

In a strategic move to bolster Jammu and Kashmir's economic backbone, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah advocates a shift from high-volume to high-value tourism. Emphasizing sustainability, he calls for enhancing visitor experiences to generate more employment for the region's youth.

During a high-level meeting with the Tourism Department, Abdullah outlined plans to develop skiing and river rafting activities, aligning with government schemes like PRASHAD and Swadesh Darshan. He voiced concerns over waste management and the ticketing inefficiencies of the Gondola service at Gulmarg, urging the JK Cable Car Corporation to implement technological solutions.

The Chief Minister sees economic opportunity in Sonamarg's snow-rich landscape, proposing the hiring of expert consultants for developing skiing facilities. He underscores the importance of preserving J&K's heritage through environmentally conscious infrastructure while ensuring community involvement in all tourism projects.

(With inputs from agencies.)