KL Report
Srinagar
Adding to the international testimony that security situation in J&K has improved to remarkable extent, Japan has relaxed its travel restrictions to the state. Japan is the second country among G8 nations which lifted its advisories. Germany was first one to relax travel restrictions to the state for its nationals in July 2011.
Japan’s move to ease restrictions is valid for Srinagar and adjoining areas like Gulmarg. The decision was arrived at after the Japanese embassy officials met the J&K government, and also made site visits.
Japan has exchanged notes with their German counterparts, who had a similar exercise last year.
It is believed that with two of the G-8 countries easing the travel restrictions to Kashmir, many other embassies of developed countries are expected to follow suit.
After Germany and Japan some more countries like Australian, Canadian, British are also making enquiries about the situation in Kashmir.
The foreign tourist arrivals in J&K have steadily increased from 52,750 tourists to about 72,000 in 2011. And so far till September 2012 the number reached 10 million tourists.
To attract more and more tourists, the tourism department has time to time made different road shows in international countries for the promotion of tourism in state. Earlier this month the department organized three day program for international tour operators to visit the state and interact with their counterparts. During their stay the international operators vowed to clear doubt in their respective countries about the notion of J&K being insecure.
They also made a point that India is not pushing for Kashmir unlike other parts, “India pushes for Agra, Delhi, Kerala, but not Kashmir,” said a tour operator from Malaysia.
