Open tourist destinations or stop tourism promotion: CM Omar Abdullah

Gulmarg, Sep 18: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that promotion of tourism would not bear fruit until all tourist destinations are thrown open for tourists.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the 17th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) at the Gulmarg Convention Centre (GCC), CM Omar, while referring to the closure of several tourist destinations, said that steps should have been taken till now to open these tourist spots.

“This is a strange situation, on one hand, people like us go out and talk about bringing tourists here, and on the other hand, many areas are closed by the government,” he said.

Naming a few tourist spots, the CM said Drang, Doodhpathri, Yusmarg, and Tosa Maidan, and Aru and Betab Valley in Pahalgam were still closed.

“Half of Gulmarg is still closed,” he said.

CM Omar said that if these tourist spots are not opened, then they would stop tourism promotion.

“Either we should open these tourist spots or we should stop promoting tourism and let the government compensate for the losses faced by the stakeholders,” he said.

The CM said that the government claims that the situation in Kashmir was normal, but keeping several destinations closed does not depict normalcy.

“We understand that the Pahalgam incident should not have happened, but after that, steps have been taken. Now I think the time has come that we should open these tourist destinations,” he said.

CM Omar said that if these destinations were not opened, then they (the elected government) would stop tourism promotion.

“Because both things cannot work like this,” he said.

The CM said that it would be better for the people responsible for security, and those who believe that the security of J&K is their responsibility, to open these destinations one by one.

He assured tourism stakeholders and players that he would take up their concerns with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and request for opening up of the closed tourist destinations in Kashmir.

Earlier, addressing the 17th AGM of the TAAK at the GCC, CM Omar said, “When half of Kashmir is shut for tourism, promotion becomes meaningless. What do we tell the tourists that you can ride the Gondola, but the ATV grounds are closed? That you can go to Tangmarg but not to Drung, or that you can come to Pahalgam but not visit Aru and Betab Valley? Even in the worst times, we had not kept these areas closed. So I assure you I will speak to the Home Minister and request him to open these destinations. This will build confidence and help us attract more tourists.”

He said that when tourists are told certain destinations are closed, it creates a negative perception about the overall situation in Kashmir.

“We must come on one page with the central government; otherwise, our efforts at promotion will not succeed,” the CM said.

Congratulating the newly-elected TAAK President, Farooq Ahmad Kuthoo, he assured the association of full support of the government.

“Kuthoo has a strong foundation to take the association forward. In these circumstances, promoting tourism is not easy, but I want to assure you that just as we worked closely with outgoing President Rauf Tramboo, we will work with TAAK under your leadership as well,” CM Omar said.

He expressed hope that autumn and winter seasons would bring some revival, while preparations should begin in earnest for the spring season.

Highlighting the significance of Thursday’s gathering, the CM said, “We will always remember that the first programme held at the GCC was the 17th AGM of the TAAK. In the future, many prestigious programmes of FICCI, CII, the Government of India, and the J&K government will be held here, but the first will always remain with TAAK.”

Advisor to CM, Nasir Aslam Wani; MLA Gulmarg, Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah; prominent hotelier, Mushtaq Chaya; outgoing TAAK President, Rauf Tramboo, and newly-elected President, Farooq Kuthoo, also addressed the AGM.

TAAK members from across J&K and Ladakh participated in the meeting.

Earlier, inaugurating the GCC, the CM expressed hope that the world-class facility would help position Gulmarg as a premier destination for international events and conventions, “on the scale of an Asian or Indian Davos.”

Constructed at a cost of Rs 21 crore by the NBCC, the Centre aims to promote tourism, culture, business convergence, and international conferencing in J&K.

CM Omar also laid the foundation stone of the Ski Hire Shop, to be developed by the J&K Cable Car Corporation, further strengthening Gulmarg’s tourism infrastructure.

Addressing the gathering, the CM said that while constructing physical infrastructure was important, its meaningful use and upkeep were even more critical.

“It is the easiest thing to build four walls. The real responsibility begins with their use and maintenance,” he said, pointing out that while NBCC completed the project within time and budget, the furnishing component was missing from the original DPR. “Tourism Department, my Advisor, and I are working to finalise the furnishing so that the centre can be put to immediate use.”

CM Omar underlined the importance of positioning the centre as a hub for MICE tourism, wedding destinations, and high-profile events.

“We are considering linking it with SKICC’s marketing network so that GCC can be promoted as part of a broader package,” he said. “Maintenance will also be done. And I want that one day, when we hear about Davos again and again, then people recognise it as Asian Davos, Indian Davos. I want it to develop on that scale, if not, at least on a good scale, two or three annual events will come here, in which people from all over the world will participate.”

The CM also emphasised the need to create recreational opportunities for tourists during evenings in Gulmarg, especially in winter.

“Tourists go skiing, sledging, and sightseeing, but in the evening they are left with little to do. This facility can change that. By setting up a coffee shop, restaurant, and a digital cinema projection system, we can ensure that tourists have vibrant evening experiences, while generating revenue and keeping the asset active,” he said.

CM Omar urged the government departments to utilise the facility for meetings, training programmes, and official events until private sector interest increases.

“Education, health, social welfare, and other departments can hold programmes here, ensuring the Centre’s optimum use while giving participants a refreshing change of location,” he said.

Congratulating the NBCC and the Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA), the CM said the project was a landmark addition to Gulmarg’s tourism profile.

“With proper management, GCC will not only serve as a hub for conferences and international gatherings but also become a vibrant space for recreational and cultural tourism,” he said.

Advisor to CM, Nasir Aslam Wani; MLA Gulmarg, Farooq Shah; Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism, Ashish Chandra Verma; Deputy Commissioner (DC) Baramulla, Minga Sherpa; Director Tourism, Kashmir, Raja Farooq Yaqoob, and CEO GDA, Tariq Hussain were also present on the occasion.