Though Kashmir is an international tourist destination but the focus of attention at new tourist places this year has marked the beginning of tourism expansion in Kashmir valley. Till last year the tourism department used to lay focus on traditional hot spots like Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg in Kashmir but this year tourism department has also undertaken tourist activities at two more main tourist destinations in Kashmir-Guerez valley in Bandipora district and Bungus valley in Kupwara district. The tourism department has not only undertaken tourist activities in Gurez and Bungus valleys but has also organised mega tourist festivals at both the places. The tourist activities and yearly festivals at both the places would consequently expand the activities of tour and travel operators in Kashmir and such measures would resultantly boost tourism and travel industry in Kashmir. Since Lt Governor’s personal involvement and engagement with the tourist activities in both Gurez valley in Bandipora district and as well as Bungus valley in Kupwara district has boosted the morale of participants at both the places, the initiative of organising tourist festivals at the both the places is likely to continue for the purposes of tourist attractions for many many years to come. In previous years the tourism department used to showcase tourist destinations of Kashmir at international tourist festivals at some prime tourist destinations outside the country but covid-19 pandemic during last two years has reduced the scope and importance of international tourist festivals both within and outside the country. Till the restoration of normalcy to pre-covid days of normality the tourism department can focus on upgradation of both the new tourist places to make them realy worth for showcasing at the international film festivals within and outside the country.
Greater focus of tourism department on upgradation of new tourist destinations in Kashmir valley would give the famed tourist industry of Kashmir the boost which it has not got during reduced tourist activities in last more than two decades. Identification of some more tourist spots and plans for their upgradation would surely further the causes of tourism promotions not only in Kashmir but also in Jammu division.
Since restricting focus of the tourist activities to few top tourist destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg has reduced the possibilities of long duration stays by both foreign and local tourists in Kashmir valley, the tourist activities undertaken by the tourism department in Gurez and Bungus valleys this year if continued with greater enthusiasm in coming years would further the causes of tourism attraction at both the places. By all standards of understandabilities the greater focus of tourism department on upgradation of new tourist destinations in Kashmir valley would give the famed tourist industry of Kashmir the boost which it has not got during reduced tourist activities in last more than two decades. Identification of some more tourist spots and plans for their upgradation would surely further the causes of tourism promotions not only in Kashmir but also in Jammu division.
