KL Report
Srinagar
In a development that will boost tourism in Kashmir, Britain has withdrawn advisory for it’s citizens against traveling Kashmir. This is the second European nation after Germany that has done so in last six months. Japan had also withdrawn the advisory, this summer.
The decision was taken in wake if improved security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. British High Commissioner in new Delhi Sir James Bevan has sent a letter to chief minister Omar Abdullah conveying the decision that improvements in the security situation in the state has led UK to lift the advisory against UK citizens travelling to both the cities of Jammu and Srinagar and travel between these two cities on the Jammu-Srinagar highway.
The advisory, however, shall stay on UK citizens travelling to the periphery if Kashmir. “We advise against all travel to rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir other than Ladakh; all travel in the immediate vicinity of the border with Pakistan, other than at Wagah,” the advisory said.
The decision will boost the hospitality sector in Kashmir that otherwise witnessed massive arrivals, this summer. More than a million tourists visited Kashmir so far. However, most of the arrivals are backpackers from the Indian mainland. The number of foreigners is gradually increasing. So far 27596 foreigners visited Kashmir even as total number was at 1042431including Amarnath pilgrims.
The travel advisories were imposed after the outbreak of militancy in the state after 1989.
