Srinagar, Jul 08: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have come to realize their future lies with India, while branding Pakistan as their biggest enemy, whose only objective has been to destabilize the Union Territory through terrorism.
Speaking at the Tourism Secretaries’ Conference of Union Territories in Srinagar, LG Sinha said that common citizens are now openly standing up against terrorism, and recent street protests against Pakistan-backed terrorists mark a significant shift toward lasting peace in the Valley.
“Security forces have played a crucial role, but societal resistance to terrorism is equally important. The entire region must ensure terrorists find no shelter here,” he said, calling the meet a symbolic message of J&K’s journey from conflict to progress.
Highlighting the post-Article 370 transformation, Sinha said Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as one of India’s top travel destinations, surpassing the national average in tourist arrivals. In 2024 alone, over 2.02 crore tourists visited the Union Territory.
He credited this growth to a shift in tourism strategy, which now includes adventure, border, and offbeat destinations like Bangus and Lolab, drawing in lakhs of visitors. The successful hosting of the G20 summit in Srinagar further elevated J&K’s profile globally.
“A 146-acre land at Tatoo Ground in Srinagar is being developed into an international tourist hub, and I believe it will one day surpass Davos in tourist appeal,” the LG said. He also revealed plans for a two-phase ropeway project to the Amarnath Cave Shrine, aiming to aid elderly and specially-abled pilgrims.
Sinha noted that over 65% of homestays in the region are run by women, indicating a wave of economic empowerment. He also highlighted the establishment of India’s first Book Village in Kashmir, adding depth to the region’s cultural tourism profile.
In the past five years, more than 5,000 hotels have been built across J&K, with nearly 90% of investment coming from local residents, reflecting the growing confidence among Kashmiris in the region’s future.
The LG said peace is the foundation for progress, and the people have embraced it. “Jammu and Kashmir, with its natural beauty and spiritual charm, has immense tourism potential that we are determined to harness sustainably.”
He reiterated the administration’s focus on sustainable tourism through the SPREAD strategy (Strategic Promotion and Revamping of Emerging Alternate Destinations), which aims to reduce environmental stress on existing hotspots by promoting nine emerging destinations, expected to provide employment to five lakh people in the first year alone.
The conference was attended by Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, along with top officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Union Territory administrations—KNO
