Srinagar, June 11 : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today reaffirmed his government’s commitment to enhancing the tourism experience in Jammu and Kashmir, stressing the need to make every tourist’s visit so memorable that they are eager to return.
Speaking at the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) event, “Rally for the Valley – Let’s Go to Jammu and Kashmir,” a tourism revival initiative organized by TAAI’s J&K chapter, the Chief Minister emphasised the significance of tourism as more than just travel.
“Tourism is about experiences. It’s about what people take back with them and what they share with others. I believe the past few months have taught us important lessons,” said Abdullah, who also holds the Tourism portfolio.
He announced that his government is actively using this time to upgrade infrastructure and services across the tourism sector.
“I’ve directed the Cable Car Corporation to upgrade the Gulmarg gondola—to increase capacity, improve ticketing, and enhance the overall visitor experience. Similar improvements will follow in other parts of the Union Territory,” he said.
Abdullah expressed gratitude to the TAAI leadership and its members for visiting the Valley during a challenging time.
“I want to thank TAAI President Sunil Kumar and the entire delegation. Your visit reflects your trust and friendship. As they say, you know your true friends in difficult times—everyone is around when things are good.”
He added that the presence of TAAI delegates under current circumstances is a strong message of solidarity and long-standing ties with Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism fraternity.
“On behalf of the government and everyone involved in tourism in Kashmir, thank you for being here and for giving us this boost,” he said.
Addressing the tragic Baisaran terror attack on tourists earlier this year, the Chief Minister called it a turning point and emphasized collective reflection.
“It’s impossible to look ahead without acknowledging what brought us here. The attack on April 22 was a tragedy for 26 families—25 of our guests and one local. It shook all of Jammu and Kashmir. For the first time in my memory, people spontaneously came out to condemn it—not led by politics or organizations, but by genuine emotion.”
He stressed that the people of Kashmir stood united to send a clear message that the attack did not represent their values.
“It was not done in their name. Silence wasn’t an option. The people spoke—clearly, and from the heart.”
Recognizing the ongoing difficulties, Abdullah remained optimistic. “There’s no doubt we’re in a winter of catastrophic proportions. But winter is just a season. It can’t last forever. The snow must melt.”
On the strides made in connectivity, the Chief Minister highlighted the transformative impact of rail infrastructure in the Valley.
“Today, Kashmir has a railway. You’ve crossed the highest railway bridge in the world, a feat of engineering excellence. You’ve also passed over the only cable-stayed railway bridge in the country. All of this, built in a region of immense logistical challenges.”
He encouraged more tourists to experience these milestones while J&K still holds the global record.
“There might be a time limit to claiming the world’s highest railway bridge. So let’s bring in as many people as possible to witness it while we can.”
In closing, Omar Abdullah expressed his commitment to working closely with TAAI and all stakeholders to revive and strengthen tourism in the region.
“The relationship with Kashmir is a very special one. I look forward to continuing this partnership and working together to bring more people to this beautiful land.”
The event was attended by Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, MLAs Mubarak Gul, Farooq Ahmed Shah, and Tanvir Sadiq, prominent hoteliers Mushtaq Chaya and Mushtaq Burza, TAAI President Sunil Kumar, the Chairman of TAAI J&K Chapter, and key stakeholders from the tourism and hospitality sectors.
