Secretary Tourism and Culture, Dr. Syed Abid Rashid Shah on Saturday said that the G20 meeting held earlier this year here had a profound impact on J&K’s tourism industry with people actively participating in the events of national and international importance.
Shah also said the government has begun promoting 72 offbeat destinations across Jammu and Kashmir and that the Union Territory would undergo significant changes in the years to come.
After inaugurating two-day art exhibition ‘Reflections’ here at City Mall, Secretary Tourism said that organizing such events is a wonderful opportunity for budding artists.
“There is a lot of history in Kashmir. Srinagar is the second oldest city in the country after Kashi, our recorded history is somewhere on 4000 years and there has been an important role of art here,” he said.
Secretary Tourism also said that such events are providing a platform to the artists and are recognizing the bright minds.
“The government will do whatever is required for these budding artists to provide them a platform and recognize their talent,” he said, adding that ultimately an artist does this for his self recognition in the society.
“After the G20 summit earlier this year, the tourism industry in J&K underwent a significant transformation. People now enthusiastically participate in events of national and international importance and wish the same are held frequently,” Shah told reporters.
People, he said, have a primary role to promote the J&K tourism brand and the natural beauty of both the Jammu and Kashmir regions to the outside world and that all these events including the G20 meeting are steps in this direction.
Regarding lack of mobile connectivity at Yusmarg in central Budgam district for instance, he said that a private telecom company recently installed a mobile tower in Doodhpathri while there are several such destinations including Yusmarg in Kashmir and Sansar and Basohli in Jammu where mobile towers need to be installed.
“I think all these infrastructural activities will promote such events. We are organizing the Bangus Festival as part of these activities. It’s a far off area but one of the most beautiful destinations of our Union Territory,” Shah added.
