Growing tourism
With new tourist destinations being introduced to accommodate growing numbers of tourists in Jammu and Kashmir, the government is very keen to enhance the scope of tourism by new initiatives to make it economically viable plank for the people especially in rural areas.
Recently Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha chaired a high-level meeting to review the new initiatives of the Tourism Department.
He sought a detailed report on home-stays, setting up of tented accommodation at major tourist attractions, adventure activities, new trekking routes identified, Border Tourism, Capacity Building Programme at various levels.
While reviewing the measures being taken to promote home-stays in the J&K, the chair was informed that around 800 home-stays are registered with the Tourism Department.
He directed Secretary Tourism to submit a report on the number of tourists staying at these home-stays, and set the target of enhancing the capacities of home-stays to 25,000 beds by 31st December.
Tourism department was instructed to identify major tourist attractions where tented accommodation can be developed through public-private partnership.
Since home-stays and tented accommodations are becoming popular among the domestic and foreign tourists as well as backpackers, the J & K UT government is making efforts to promote tent stay at scenic locations that will deliver rapid growth to the tourism industry.
