Nothing new in it that Kashmir is the world class tourist destination finding no match anywhere not only in India but in entire South Asia but new to it is the attraction of any International Economic Forum of the world for the first time in last mire than seventy years. G20 a top International economic forum of several top countries established for international economic cooperation found Kashmir an ideal place for debating tourism as this is undoubtedly a place which deserves attention of an international economic forum like G20. Undoubtedly the Jammu & Kashmir Government deeply concerned about the extension and expansion of the tourism sector a key area for employment and income generations very rightly takes pride in hosting a meeting of G20 member states on tourism in Srinagar the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir. In the backdrop of the conduct of this mega international event in Srinagar it merits a mention here that though G20 was founded in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis as a forum for the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss global economic and financial issues but it was upgraded to the level of Heads of State/Government in the wake of the global economic and financial crisis of 2007, and, in 2009, was designated the “premier forum for international economic cooperation”. Fact remains that immediately after taking over the presidency of G20 Prime Minister Narendra Modi put Kashmir Tourism on top of it’s agenda and a meeting of the member states of G20 on tourism in Kashmir was put on top of the calendar of events this International Economic Forum is holding this year. Srinagar the Summer Capital of Jammu & Kashmir was choosen for the meeting of member states on tourism because of the fact that G20 focuses largely on broad macroeconomic issues mainly including tourism, trade, sustainable development, health, agriculture, energy, environment, climate change, and anti-corruption. Srinagar the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir could have been choosen as a venue for a meeting of G20 anytime after 1999 and more so after 2007 but the interest in developing Kashmir as a world class modern destination shown by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was never ever given even a simple thought by any of his predecessors.
“The post G20 Srinagar scenario is expected to take Kashmir tourism to new heights as Jammu & Kashmir Government has already announced it’s plans to identify and develop more than 300 tourist destination across Jammu & Kashmir. The road map for developing more 300 new tourist destinations if implemented with the engagement and involvement of both the local stakeholders and as well as International investors would most likely change Kashmir into an epicenter of International tourism in coming years”.
So better late than never, Srinagar becoming the venue for the meeting on Tourism an activity for which Kashmir is known world over is undoubtedly a big opportunity for both the Government and as well as all stakeholders of tourism sector. The event could script a new chapter in the tourism history of Jammu & Kashmir if the road map drawn for the promotion of tourism and foreign investments is changed into a reality for the purposes of changing Kashmir into an epicenter of International tourism. Keeping in view the huge scope for expansion and extension of tourism in Kashmir all the stake holders are putting in their best to make the meeting of the G20 member states on tourism in Srinagar a big success. The post G20 Srinagar scenario is expected to take Kashmir tourism to new heights as Jammu & Kashmir Government has already announced it’s plans to identify and develop more than 300 tourist destination across Jammu & Kashmir. The road map for developing more 300 new tourist destinations if implemented with the engagement and involvement of both the local stakeholders and as well as International investors would most likely change Kashmir into an epicenter of International tourism in coming years.
