New Delhi (Agency): The administration of Jammu and Kashmir has taken steps to further boost religious tourism by earmarking 75 new tourist destinations. This move comes after the region attracted a record number of tourists—over one crore—in 2022, according to government data.
Syed Abid Rashid Shah, the Tourism Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, spoke at the “Jashn-e-Adab—Cultural Karavaan” event about the region’s flourishing tourism industry. “We are bypassing last year’s tourist influx this year by leaps and bounds,” Shah stated, highlighting the rapid growth the sector has experienced.
One key factor behind this tourism growth was the recent G-20 Tourism Working Group meeting held in Srinagar. Shah described the event as a “game changer” that helped attract more foreign tourists. “To celebrate local culture, we’ve promoted 75 offbeat destinations. Additionally, 75 destinations have been earmarked for fostering spiritual experiences, and another 75 to enhance religious tourism within Jammu and Kashmir,” Shah said.
The efforts go beyond simply attracting tourists. Shah also spoke about the region’s initiatives aimed at showcasing its rich cultural heritage. This includes active participation in International Trade Marts to engage with international tourists. He also mentioned a pro-artisan policy in the pipeline designed to benefit the local artisan community.
This emphasis on varied tourism, including cultural and religious aspects, has already yielded notable results. The administration is not limiting its outreach to just the local market. A team from the Tourism Department is currently in Ahmedabad for a promotional trip, generating significant interest. Similar successful campaigns were previously conducted in Cochin and Chennai.
The administration’s dedication to promoting Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism seems to be paying off. In addition to the 75 destinations aimed at religious tourism, they have also targeted a similar number of locations to promote both local culture and spiritual experiences.
By diversifying the types of tourism available in the region, the Jammu and Kashmir administration hopes to attract a broad range of tourists, both from within India and internationally. “We’ve promoted 75 offbeat destinations,” Shah reiterated, indicating that the government’s strategy is to offer a well-rounded tourist experience that goes beyond the mainstream attractions.
The future of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir looks promising, thanks in part to the administration’s aggressive promotion and diversification strategy. With 75 new destinations earmarked for religious tourism, the region aims to build on its record tourist numbers and become a leading travel destination both in India and around the world.