Srinagar, September 18: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday stressed that the government’s tourism promotion efforts would be futile if popular destinations in Jammu and Kashmir remain closed to visitors.
Speaking in Gulmarg, Omar referred to the recent incident in Pahalgam, noting that while corrective measures have been taken, continued restrictions on tourist sites undermine promotion campaigns. “If they are not open, then what is the point of spending resources on promoting tourism?” he said.
The Chief Minister highlighted tourism as a key driver of J&K’s economy and warned that shutting down destinations creates negative perceptions about the Valley. He also expressed concern over restrictions preventing political leaders from offering condolences in certain cases.
Tourism stakeholders have repeatedly raised concerns that limited access to resorts and attractions hampers both domestic and international tourist inflows, potentially affecting the region’s economic prospects.
