CM Omar Abdullah Assures Tourism Stakeholders of Support, Pledges to Take Up Opening of Closed Destinations
GULMARG: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah yesterday assured tourism stakeholders that he would raise their concerns with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and seek the reopening of several currently closed tourist destinations in Kashmir.
The Chief Minister made these remarks while addressing the 17th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) at the Gulmarg Convention Centre.
“On one hand, we promote tourism, but on the other, many destinations remain closed. This is one of the biggest challenges in our difficult circumstances. When half of Kashmir is shut to tourism, promotion becomes meaningless. What do we tell visitors—that they can ride the Gondola but the ATV grounds are closed, that they can visit Tangmarg but not Drung, or come to Pahalgam but cannot access Aru and Betab Valley? Even in the worst times, these areas were never closed. I assure you, I will speak to the Home Minister and request the reopening of these destinations. This will build confidence and help attract more tourists,” Omar said.
He added that keeping destinations closed creates a negative perception about the overall situation in Kashmir. “We must align with the central government; otherwise, our promotion efforts will not succeed,” he noted.
Congratulating newly elected TAAK President Farooq A. Kuthoo, the Chief Minister assured the association of the government’s full support. “Mr. Kuthoo inherits a strong foundation to lead the association forward. Promoting tourism in these circumstances is not easy, but just as we worked closely with outgoing President Rauf Tramboo, we will continue to collaborate with TAAK under your leadership,” he said.
Omar Abdullah expressed optimism for a revival in tourism during the upcoming autumn and winter seasons, emphasizing that preparations for the spring season should begin immediately.
Highlighting the significance of the occasion, he remarked, “We will always remember that the first program held at the Gulmarg Convention Centre was the 17th AGM of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir. In future, many prestigious events of FICCI, CII, and the Governments of India and J&K will take place here, but the first will always remain with TAAK.”
The AGM was also addressed by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Gulmarg Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah, prominent hotelier Mushtaq Chaya, outgoing TAAK President Rauf Tramboo, and newly elected President Farooq A. Kuthoo. Members of TAAK from across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh participated in the meeting.
