Sayeed eyes new tourist destination

Jammu, March 21 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed on Saturday called for making new destinations accessible to tourists to attract more visitors to the state.

He also said that high-end infrastructure should be built at known tourist destinations so that tourist footfall to the state increases.

He held a detailed review of the functioning of Tourism Development Authorities (TDA) here on Saturday and described tourism as one of the most rapidly growing sectors in the world and the backbone of the state's economy.

Unveiling his strategy for the next six years, the chief minister took a series of decisions such as laying golf courses at Sonamarg and Yusmarg tourist destinations in the valley, work on Ashmuqam Cable Car Project and Jammu Ropeway by removing bottlenecks, and preparation of feasibility report of Cable Car Project at Yusmarg.

He also issued instructions to the CEOs of Gulmarg and Pahalgam TDAs to take over administrative control of their respective golf courses.

"Our economy will improve if we succeed in attracting high-end travellers who have greater spending power...," he said.

He called for emphasis on keeping health resorts neat and clean.

"We will talk to the forest department for a more coordinated effort in increasing the carrying capacity at these resorts," he said.

Sayeed also said that amusement parks, which are a major attraction for children, should be built to increase the flow of tourists.

The chief minister issued directions to major Tourism Development Authorities for procuring garbage dumpers to address the issue of waste disposal.