Tourist footfall nosedives in J&K; govt announces sops

If the situation was in control, we would have had at least 10,000 tourists per day visiting the state. It’s the peak time, but we have not seen a spurt in numbers.

KOLKATA: The average daily tourist footfall to Jammu and Kashmir has nosedived to about 5,000 in March and April this year, an official of the state government said on Saturday.

“If the situation was in control, then we would have had at least 10,000 tourists per day visiting the state. This is the peak time, but we have not seen a spurt in numbers. We are hoping the footfall will go up in the next couple of months as the situation has improved,” Ghulam Zeelani Zagar, deputy director of Jammu and Kashmir tourism, told mediapersons here.

In 2016, as many as 17 lakh tourists toured the troubled state.

“This fiscal, we apprehend a lakh or two less number of tourists because the situation in the last six months has not been good, especially after July last year,” Zagar said.

He appealed to the public not to turn their backs on scenic spots like Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Srinagar.

“The recent terrorist activities are only near the border areas. The tourist destinations of the state are well protected with maximum security for the tourists. The hotel owners, the transport operators and the administration are ready to provide safety and

security for the tourists,” he said.

50% DISCOUNTS ON

TOUR PACKAGE: GOVT

To lure travellers, the state tourism development corporation (J&KTDC) is offering a discount of around 50% on its tour packages.

“J&KTDC will provide 50% rebate on lodging and transport charges or even on total packages in some cases to the tourists visiting the Valley,” Zagar said.

Private tourism players are also offering 32 % concessions in boarding and lodging or on total packages to the tourists, he said.

The situation turned grim, especially after July 8 last year, when security forces gunned down Hizbul leader Burhan Wani. His death led to violent protests, several months of curfew, an overall deterioration in security situation, and more than 100 deaths across the Valley.