Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Thursday said that the UT hosted four crore tourists in the past two years while the foreign tourist arrivals recorded a 350 per cent surge after the successful G-20 meeting.
Speaking at the Food Processing and Wellness Conclave in Jammu, the LG said that in the last two years, four crore tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir. “Foreign tourist arrivals saw a 350 per cent surge post the successful G-20 summit held in May 2023 in Srinagar,” Sinha said.
He said, apart from Sonmarg, Pahalgam, and Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir has vast tourism potential, as 50 additional offbeat destinations have been explored, each in Kashmir and Jammu regions for tourists, including foreign guests. “Recently, Lolab was chosen as the best offbeat destination in India.”
Welcoming industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders from the hospitality, wellness, and food processing sectors, the LG urged them to explore investment opportunities and foster collaboration during the two-day conclave, organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation.
“A hospital by Apollo will boost the healthcare system and enhance opportunities for employment, self-employment, and entrepreneurship,” the LG said.
He said, that with peace prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir for the past three years, the place is fast emerging as the most preferred investment destination in the country. “The red tape has been replaced with the red carpet for investors,” he said. “We are offering opportunities in various fields of food processing, vegetables, bakery production, and nutraceuticals. GI certification will help investors create global brands and achieve international standards of food safety and quality.”
LG Sinha said that Jammu and Kashmir offer the best incentives and a supportive environment for the expansion of businesses and industries. Jammu and Kashmir are also determined to become number one in Ease of Doing Business. “I invite industry leaders to invest in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir and contribute to Jammu and Kashmir’s developmental journey,” he said.
Sinha said that after Go-First Airlines failed to take off an international flight from Srinagar airport, efforts have been doubled to see international flight operations at the airport. “We are hopeful to see international flight operations at Srinagar International Airport shortly,” he said.
