Jammu, March 4: Jammu and Kashmir recorded an impressive influx of over 4.40 crore tourists during the past two years, including more than 1.20 lakh international visitors, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah informed the state assembly on Tuesday.
Highlighting the tourism sector's vital role in boosting employment opportunities within the region, Abdullah, who oversees the tourism portfolio, emphasized that promoting tourism remains a significant priority for his administration.
Significant Tourist Footfall Boosts Economy
Chief Minister Abdullah revealed that Jammu and Kashmir attracted a total of 4.48 crore visitors over the last two years, including 1.20 lakh foreigners. Breaking down the figures, he said that in 2023, the region saw 2,11,24,674 tourist arrivals, while in 2024, this number climbed further to 2,35,24,629.Foreign tourists also showed a consistent upward trend, with 55,337 international tourists visiting in 2023 and an increase to 65,452 in 2024.
Enhanced Funding for Tourism Promotion
In response to queries raised by National Conference member Mubarak Gul, the Chief Minister informed the assembly that the Jammu and Kashmir government allocated a total of Rs 35.08 crore towards promotional activities, advertising, and other tourism-related initiatives over the past two fiscal years.Specifically, he stated that Rs 12.54 crore was utilized during the financial year 2023-24, and Rs 22.54 crore in 2024-25.
Tourism Assets Outsourced for Improved Services
Addressing further questions on departmental assets, Abdullah disclosed that 59 assets belonging to the Tourism Department were outsourced in the past two years. This move aligns with the government's efforts to enhance efficiency and ensure better service delivery to tourists.Employment Generation through Tourism
Underscoring tourism as a substantial employment generator, Abdullah noted the sector significantly contributes to job creation in Jammu and Kashmir. However, he acknowledged the lack of a formal assessment to determine the exact number of individuals employed in tourism-related activities.The Chief Minister reiterated the government's commitment to harnessing the sector's full potential, promising continued investment and strategic initiatives to further strengthen Jammu and Kashmir's position as a premier tourist destination.
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