KL Report
SRINAGAR
Stating that the recent flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan along the International Border and Line of Control (LoC) hit the tourism sector in Jammu, the government Friday said that tourism department is exploring new tourist destinations in Samba and other border areas.
“Some tourist destinations in Jammu region are around the border areas. Yes I can say that the Jammu tourism industry, a vital part of the local economy, to some extend was affected by the recent tensions on borders,” Director Tourism Jammu R.K Varma told KNS.
He said the Department is working on development of new destinations near Samba and other border areas. “To end this negative impression among the tourists we are coming up with a new polices to boost the prospects of tourism in the Jammu region. In order to boost the tourist arrivals, the Department has identified some border hamlets that will promote rural tourism,” Verma said.
He said that the Jammu region is expected to be much better in the coming months than it remained during the last months in terms of tourist arrivals.
“Jammu region with its vast possibilities has immense potential for the sustenance of the tourism industry. Jammu has huge potential in tourism of all kinds be it sightseeing, religious tourism, adventure or historic places,” he said.
The Director said that tourism has historically remained an instrument of economic growth in the State of Jammu & Kashmir and has contributed a lot in developing the economy. “This sector has given jobs to a large number of people and generated economic activities especially in the hilly sectors,” he said.
