Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made a direct appeal to travel industry leaders from Maharashtra and Gujarat on Friday. He asked them to partner with his government in promoting the union territory as a safe and vibrant tourism destination throughout the year. This move comes as J&K faces a sharp decline in tourist arrivals following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.
Addressing Key Stakeholders in Mumbai
Omar Abdullah spoke to a gathering of travel agents, tour operators, and representatives from various travel associations of Maharashtra and Gujarat. The meeting took place in Mumbai. He emphasized the long-standing and strong bond between Jammu and Kashmir and the travel communities of these two western states.
The Chief Minister specifically praised the solidarity and continued support shown by Maharashtra-based travel agencies after the Pahalgam incident. He described their response as exemplary during a difficult period for the region's tourism sector.
Highlighting Diverse Tourism Opportunities
During his address, Omar Abdullah detailed the wide range of tourism options available in Jammu and Kashmir. He pointed to leisure travel, adventure activities, pilgrimage circuits, and wellness tourism as key areas. The CM reiterated his government's firm commitment to ensuring visitor safety, developing better infrastructure, and creating a tourist-friendly environment across the union territory.
Exploring Film Tourism Potential
In a separate engagement, Omar Abdullah visited the campus of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies and the National Film Development Corporation in Mumbai. He stated that Jammu and Kashmir holds vast potential as an emerging destination for film tourism and creative industries. The CM sees this as another avenue to boost the region's economy and visibility.
The outreach effort clearly aims to rebuild confidence and stimulate tourist inflows after the security setback. By partnering with established travel networks in Maharashtra and Gujarat, the J&K administration hopes to restore its image as a premier travel destination.
